April 18th 2024.
Jacob Chansley, also known as the 'QAnon Shaman', made quite a name for himself during the January 6th insurrection. But according to a recent study, his actions may have been just a small part of a larger issue at hand. It seems that the possibility of a second US civil war is no longer a far-fetched idea, but rather a plausible reality. In fact, the study suggests that we may even see more insurrections in the future.
The team from California State University, San Bernardino has pointed out some striking similarities between the current state of affairs and the decade leading up to the first US civil war in the 1850s. Back then, the country was divided over various issues, including slavery, government reach, states' rights, and taxes. These same issues are once again causing a deep divide within our society, along with other controversial topics like abortion, immigration, gun ownership, and identity politics.
The team's findings, published in the journal Administration and Society, highlight the similarities between the two eras and suggest that we may be heading towards another civil war. The first US civil war, which took place from 1861 to 1865, was a result of the secession of 11 Southern states and years of arguments over slavery. But the researchers believe that this time, the conflict may stem from political mistrust, taxes, and states' rights.
To assess the potential impact of the current political atmosphere on our society, the team used a theory called social capital. This theory looks at the relationships between individuals and how they contribute to positive outcomes in a society. However, in this case, the researchers flipped the theory around to examine the negative effects of these relationships.
They found that there is a significant presence of negative social capital in our society, which could lead to long-term conflicts that could last for decades or even generations. The events of January 6th, where supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building, serve as evidence of this negative social psychology. It resulted in the deaths of nine people and has caused even more divisions within our society.
The team's study paints a grim picture of our future, with ongoing civil strife, political gridlock, and potential failures to relinquish power. However, they do mention that a full-scale civil war is still unlikely, although not impossible. The negative social psychology that has already taken hold in our society is unlikely to decrease anytime soon and may even escalate, as seen in the 1860s.
The current state of our nation is a cause for concern, and it's essential to address the underlying issues that are causing such deep divisions. While a civil war may still be a distant possibility, it's clear that we need to work towards finding common ground and resolving our differences before they escalate any further. As the team concludes, "Only time will tell the exact course of this bitter division."
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