Dog whistle politics

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'''Dog whistle politics''' usually refers to the use of certain "code words" or phrases that are designed to be understood by only a small section of the populace.  Generally speaking, these are phrases that have special meaning to that subsection entirely independent of its meaning to others.
 
'''Dog whistle politics''' usually refers to the use of certain "code words" or phrases that are designed to be understood by only a small section of the populace.  Generally speaking, these are phrases that have special meaning to that subsection entirely independent of its meaning to others.
  
The best known example of this is the love some older [[conservatives]] have for "states rights."  When segregation became unpopular, many old pro-segregationists began instead calling for "states rights", meaning of course the right of the individual states to segregate and discriminate.  Since then, many [[civil rights]] leaders have been able to show the connections behind the phrase.   
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The best known example of this is the love some older [[conservatives]] have for "states rights."  When segregation became unpopular, many old pro-segregationists began instead calling for "states rights", meaning of course the right of the individual states to segregate and discriminate.  Since then, many [[civil rights]] leaders have been able to show the connections behind the phrase.
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This is a common way these days of expressing bigotry without really doing soAnti-Semitism is often expressed in dog whistle terms, that are picked up by those familiar with the main concepts of anti-Semitism but not by the populace as a whole.  Examples are talk about the "controlled" media (without specifying who controls it, but anti-Semites ''know'' "who" that means); "international bankers" (without specifying ''Jewish'' international bankers, but anti-Semites ''know'' who); etc.  "Dual loyalty" is a dog whistle term used by both anti-Semites and anti-Catholics to imply the person's real loyalty is to Israel or the Vatican and not their own country. 
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For homophobes, pointing out that the opposing political candidate "is single", "never married", "lifelong bachelor", or even "has no children" if they are married, is a dog whistle term intended to send a signal to homophobes that others will miss.  This sort of dog-whistle talk used to be a lot more common regarding matters of sexuality in general prior to the [[sexual revolution]], as in for example various code phrases used in place of openly saying that a single woman was pregnant or had an [[abortion]].
  
 
A less well-known example is when anti-abortion activists talk about the "Dredd Scott Decision."  Among anti-abortion activists, Roe v. Wade is analogous to Dredd Scott, in that it keeps fetuses from having any rights.  However, since Roe v. Wade is popular, and Dredd Scott is not, a politician (or potential Supreme Court Justice) can talk about Dredd Scott when they really mean to talk about Roe v. Wade.
 
A less well-known example is when anti-abortion activists talk about the "Dredd Scott Decision."  Among anti-abortion activists, Roe v. Wade is analogous to Dredd Scott, in that it keeps fetuses from having any rights.  However, since Roe v. Wade is popular, and Dredd Scott is not, a politician (or potential Supreme Court Justice) can talk about Dredd Scott when they really mean to talk about Roe v. Wade.
  
 
[[Category:Politics]]
 
[[Category:Politics]]

Revision as of 01:21, 19 December 2007

Dog whistle politics usually refers to the use of certain "code words" or phrases that are designed to be understood by only a small section of the populace. Generally speaking, these are phrases that have special meaning to that subsection entirely independent of its meaning to others.

The best known example of this is the love some older conservatives have for "states rights." When segregation became unpopular, many old pro-segregationists began instead calling for "states rights", meaning of course the right of the individual states to segregate and discriminate. Since then, many civil rights leaders have been able to show the connections behind the phrase.

This is a common way these days of expressing bigotry without really doing so. Anti-Semitism is often expressed in dog whistle terms, that are picked up by those familiar with the main concepts of anti-Semitism but not by the populace as a whole. Examples are talk about the "controlled" media (without specifying who controls it, but anti-Semites know "who" that means); "international bankers" (without specifying Jewish international bankers, but anti-Semites know who); etc. "Dual loyalty" is a dog whistle term used by both anti-Semites and anti-Catholics to imply the person's real loyalty is to Israel or the Vatican and not their own country.

For homophobes, pointing out that the opposing political candidate "is single", "never married", "lifelong bachelor", or even "has no children" if they are married, is a dog whistle term intended to send a signal to homophobes that others will miss. This sort of dog-whistle talk used to be a lot more common regarding matters of sexuality in general prior to the sexual revolution, as in for example various code phrases used in place of openly saying that a single woman was pregnant or had an abortion.

A less well-known example is when anti-abortion activists talk about the "Dredd Scott Decision." Among anti-abortion activists, Roe v. Wade is analogous to Dredd Scott, in that it keeps fetuses from having any rights. However, since Roe v. Wade is popular, and Dredd Scott is not, a politician (or potential Supreme Court Justice) can talk about Dredd Scott when they really mean to talk about Roe v. Wade.

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