AP U.S. Government and Politics Glossary

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Jonathan Milner Jonathan Milner

The Big Sort

The geographical self-segregation of Americans into ideologically homogeneous (similar) communities. Over the past three decades Americans have sorted themselves and moved to live in areas that are in agreement about politics, economics, and lifestyle. In 2004, journalist Bill Bishop made national news in a series of articles when he first described "the big sort." Armed with original and startling demographic data, he showed how Americans have been sorting themselves over the past three decades into homogeneous communities — not at the regional level, or the red-state/blue-state level, but at the micro level of city and neighborhood. America may be more diverse than ever coast to coast, but the places where we live are becoming increasingly crowded with people who live, think, and vote like we do. This social transformation didn't happen by accident. We've built a country where we can all choose the neighborhood and church and news show — most compatible with our lifestyle and beliefs.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is the Big Sort theory?

  2. Does the idea that Americans are sorting themselves into different communities seem true to you?

  3. How is your life illustrative of the Big Sort?

  4. What emoji best exemplifies the Big Sort theory?

  5. How does the Big Sort impact voting and elections?

  6. Do you think America is going to become more or less sorted in the next decade?

  7. If you were to renamed the big sort, what would you call it?

  8. Is the Big Sort a good thing?

  9. What is the most likely political consequence of the Big Sort?

  10. Is Hold Me Up (Thank You) by Khruangbin (below) most likely a metaphor for the Big Sort?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw the Big Sort. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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