Identity Politics in Jacksonian Ohio : The Future of American Politics

American politicians of the 21st Century doggedly pursue the support of ethnic minorities, college-educated suburban women, millennials, white men, and so forth.

But this strategy isn't novel. The origin of identity politics belongs to the Second Party System of the Jacksonian Era. The classic view of 'Jacksonian Democracy' holds that Democratic politicians were of modest means and appealed to voters like themselves; Whig politicians were rich and catered to wealthy constituents.

Such accounts also focus on the character and actions of political leaders, especially Andrew Jackson and his war on the Bank of the United States.

With the exception of a few studies, however, little attention is paid to ordinary voters. Now, through a systematic analysis of voter choice in Ohio, Identity Politics takes up Lee Benson's challenge to test his 'Concept of Jacksonian Democracy' beyond New York state.The result?

The political behavior of Democrats and Whigs in the Buckeye State stemmed not from passing issues but from religion, ethnicity, nativity, the prejudices of Northerners and Southerners-even the value of partisan politics.

In this, Jacksonian voters in Ohio foretold the future of American politics.