'Remoralization': American Society and Politics in the 1990s

• Published in: The Political quarterly (London. 1930) Vol. 71; no. 2; pp. 192 - 201
• Main Author: Ashbee, Edward
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Boston, USA Blackwell Publishers Ltd 01.04.2000; Political Quarterly Pub. Co. Ltd; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Behavior (psychology); Conservatism; Cultural Change; Cultural Conflict; Cultural Values; Culture; Family; Government and politics; Morality; Morals; Policymaking; Political conditions; Politics; Politics (1990s); Right Wing Politics; Social change; Social conditions; Social policy; Social Values; Society; U.S.A; United States; United States of America; Value Orientations; Welfare state; United States; US
• ISSN: 0032-3179; 1467-923X
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-923X.00294

Discusses the 1990s move toward renewed moralization that occurred in American society as a response to increasing violence & cultural decline. It is noted that the conservative Right viewed the problem as a loss of moral virtue, while those associated with liberalism & communitarianism emphasized the decline of institutions that served to transmit accepted values & integrate individuals in society, as well as the cultural destructiveness of unbridled market forces. However, it is argued that two behavioral shifts -- a fall in the crime rate & changes in the public mood -- reshaped politics & spawned a cultural climate that is less rigidly traditionalist but still based on a need for stability & restraint. It is maintained that these changes represent a process of "partial remoralization" that excludes commonly held beliefs of the conservative Right. It is contended that the repositioning enhanced the position of moderate President Bill Clinton in 1996, helped to frame his policies, significantly weakened the conservative Right, & established the direction for the 2000 presidential election. J. Lindroth