Part I (20 points) Compare the regions shown on Joel Garreaus Nine Nations map with each of the following three thematic maps in Diversity Amid Globalization Climate Regions, Selected Cultural Regions and Major Economic Activities
In Joel Garreaus Nine Nations map, North America is divided to nine specific nations or regions based on distinct cultural and economic aspects of the area. Garreau cites thePacific Northwestcoast, fromAlaskadown through British Columbia including Washington state andOregon,and running intoCaliforniato north ofSanta Barbara, all form a contiguous region called Ectopia. Garreau asserts that the region of Ectopia is defined by the values that revolve around quality of life, the environment and political advocacy. Another region, the Empty Quarters, which includes Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Colorado, is defined by the barrenness of the landscape, the dryness of the climate, the openness of the expanse. In short, the region is defined by its geography. Whereas, the Foundry -- a region encompassing New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Milwaukie -- is defined by the changing economic state. At the time of publication, those states were previously manufacturing centers but were at a steady decline.
Garreaus categorization is somewhat arbitrary in a sense that the regions are defined by different categories. One is demarcated by tradition and values, another by geography and yet another by economic pattern. Contrariwise, Rowntree et al define regions specific to particular categories. Areas may be defined in terms of temperature, humidity, windfall, etc. Areas with similar climate pattern form one region, thus forming climate regions. In another category, the cultural landscape or marker of cultural values, attitude and symbols are considered, forming distinct cultural regions. In another category, the economic activity of the areas is examined, those with similar economic pattern, eg. farming, suburbanization, etc form recognizable region.
The regions in each of the category are distinct and quantized only in that category, meaning State A maybe in Region 1 of cultural region but maybe in Region 3 of climate region. This is because Rowntree et al acknowledge that no region is homogenous throughout its area therefore it would be too limiting to define regions based on mixed categories.
Part II (20 points) Compare Garreaus Nine Nations map with the more recent Patchwork Nation map used to represent the United States and particularly to analyze voting patterns.A) Please describe notable similarities and differences between Garreaus Nine Nations and the Patchwork Nation map.
Garreaus Nine Nations Map is defined by hodge-podge of categories traditions and values (Ectopia), geography (Empty Quarter the Islands), demography (New England Dixie), language (MexAmerica Quebec), and economic activity (The Foundry The Breadbasket).
Notably, the Patchwork Nation Map is also defined by multitude of categories, economic activity (Tractor Country, Service Worker Centers, Industrial Metropolis), spending power (Monied Burbs, Boom Town), religion (Mormon Outposts Evangelical Epicenters), demography (Minority Central, Immigration Nation, Emptying Nests, Campus and Careers), and even presence of military (Military Bastions).
B) Explain how the Patchwork Nation approach might help us understand US voting in the 2008 Presidential election.
In 2000, the terms Blue States and Red States came to be. Blue States (ie. Massachusetts, New York, California, Washington) traditionally vote for Democrats. The Red States traditionally vote for Republicans (ie. Texas, Mississippi, South Dakota, South Carolina). Looking at the 2008 Presidential Elections and the Patchwork Nation Map, we can see that traditionalist states (Military Bastions, Mormon Outposts, Evangelical Epicenters) primarily voted Republican. While states with more diverse ethnicity (Industrial Metropolis, Campus and Careers) voted Democrat. Surprisingly, Immigration Nation and Minority Central voted Republican in 2004 and Democrat in 2008. The Monied Burbs, although less diverse but wealthier and highly educated, voted Democrat. While Boom Towns, with greater diversity but lesser income voted Republican.
In Joel Garreaus Nine Nations map, North America is divided to nine specific nations or regions based on distinct cultural and economic aspects of the area. Garreau cites thePacific Northwestcoast, fromAlaskadown through British Columbia including Washington state andOregon,and running intoCaliforniato north ofSanta Barbara, all form a contiguous region called Ectopia. Garreau asserts that the region of Ectopia is defined by the values that revolve around quality of life, the environment and political advocacy. Another region, the Empty Quarters, which includes Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Colorado, is defined by the barrenness of the landscape, the dryness of the climate, the openness of the expanse. In short, the region is defined by its geography. Whereas, the Foundry -- a region encompassing New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Milwaukie -- is defined by the changing economic state. At the time of publication, those states were previously manufacturing centers but were at a steady decline.
Garreaus categorization is somewhat arbitrary in a sense that the regions are defined by different categories. One is demarcated by tradition and values, another by geography and yet another by economic pattern. Contrariwise, Rowntree et al define regions specific to particular categories. Areas may be defined in terms of temperature, humidity, windfall, etc. Areas with similar climate pattern form one region, thus forming climate regions. In another category, the cultural landscape or marker of cultural values, attitude and symbols are considered, forming distinct cultural regions. In another category, the economic activity of the areas is examined, those with similar economic pattern, eg. farming, suburbanization, etc form recognizable region.
The regions in each of the category are distinct and quantized only in that category, meaning State A maybe in Region 1 of cultural region but maybe in Region 3 of climate region. This is because Rowntree et al acknowledge that no region is homogenous throughout its area therefore it would be too limiting to define regions based on mixed categories.
Part II (20 points) Compare Garreaus Nine Nations map with the more recent Patchwork Nation map used to represent the United States and particularly to analyze voting patterns.A) Please describe notable similarities and differences between Garreaus Nine Nations and the Patchwork Nation map.
Garreaus Nine Nations Map is defined by hodge-podge of categories traditions and values (Ectopia), geography (Empty Quarter the Islands), demography (New England Dixie), language (MexAmerica Quebec), and economic activity (The Foundry The Breadbasket).
Notably, the Patchwork Nation Map is also defined by multitude of categories, economic activity (Tractor Country, Service Worker Centers, Industrial Metropolis), spending power (Monied Burbs, Boom Town), religion (Mormon Outposts Evangelical Epicenters), demography (Minority Central, Immigration Nation, Emptying Nests, Campus and Careers), and even presence of military (Military Bastions).
B) Explain how the Patchwork Nation approach might help us understand US voting in the 2008 Presidential election.
In 2000, the terms Blue States and Red States came to be. Blue States (ie. Massachusetts, New York, California, Washington) traditionally vote for Democrats. The Red States traditionally vote for Republicans (ie. Texas, Mississippi, South Dakota, South Carolina). Looking at the 2008 Presidential Elections and the Patchwork Nation Map, we can see that traditionalist states (Military Bastions, Mormon Outposts, Evangelical Epicenters) primarily voted Republican. While states with more diverse ethnicity (Industrial Metropolis, Campus and Careers) voted Democrat. Surprisingly, Immigration Nation and Minority Central voted Republican in 2004 and Democrat in 2008. The Monied Burbs, although less diverse but wealthier and highly educated, voted Democrat. While Boom Towns, with greater diversity but lesser income voted Republican.
