EDSALL’S “THE TWO REVOLUTIONS”

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In Thomas B. Edsall’s “The Two Revolutions,” Edsall analyzes these two major revolutions that have transpired in American history: the socio-cultural or rights movement and the technological, scientific, and economic revolution (TSE). The sociocultural revolution involved the rights concerning workingwomen, women’s work and workplace rights, demographic change, sexual freedom and abortion rights. Post-World War II, America faced a race-based freedom movement, which worked parallel to the decay of sexual mores. Further, the “rights” revolution worked inclusively of the contraceptive revolution. The contraceptive revolution was a result of the innovation of antibiotics, surgical abortion, fertility techniques and more, allowing women to delay childbirth and focus on careers, for instance. With sex-based discrimination faltering as a result of this movement, it paved the way for an immense admittance of women into the workforce. Moreover, the resulting developments of this movement were observable in Vatican II (1965), which instigated the modernization of sex roles within the Catholic Church. Therefore, it is clear that the “rights” revolution was not limited to America, but a movement visible throughout the world.
In addition, the TSE revolution that clearly concerned areas of society, including the technological, scientific and economic sectors, having an ongoing effect on the business structure of American society. Further, the TSE revolution occurred side-by-side to the sociocultural revolution, affecting contraceptive technology, economic change and females in the workspace. With the globalization of commerce, development of new types of financial engineering, the revolution assisted in augmenting the power role for America o...

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...th the Republican image becoming more conservative, the party begins to win the vote of white men. Clearly demonstrated as a win for the GOP when they win the election with Reagan. Reagan used his influence to weaken the provisions of the Voting Rights Act and rescinding IRS ruling baring tax exemption from discriminatory schools. When Clinton came to office, he became the archetype of the “rights” revolution, countered by Bush’s administration that was clearly conservative. As a result of the two revolutions, the Republican and the Democratic Parties were then “branded.” The Republican being more conservative and the Democratic Party being liberal, being split by the Sociocultural and TSE revolutions. Nevertheless, it is clear that America still remained conservative in spite of these revolutions, leading to the collective progress of Republican political fortunes.

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