Universally, there is no significant correlation between Judaism and liberalism.  In America, however, the same cannot be said.  On February 8, University of Florida Professor Kenneth Wald addressed the subject in his lecture, “The Choosing People: The Puzzling Politics of American Jews.”

Speaking to an audience of faculty and students, Wald offered his explanation of the phenomenon. “Puzzles have a common root in the uniquely American ‘regime’ of religion and state that incorporates a distinctive classically liberal model of citizenship,” he said.  

This is a view of America, Wald believes, that coincides with that of the founding fathers. Wald quoted James Madison’s claim that “in matters of religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of civil society and that religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance.” He said that Jewish voting is, therefore, not static. Having a vested interest in secularism, American Jews “respond to threats to liberal regime.”

Wald believes that history supports his claim. Beginning in the 1960’s, Wald explained, Jewish voting became more centrist. He said that this trend resulted from a Jewish fear of affirmative action, a policy that Jews believed would lead to anti-Semitic quotas.

Around 1984, however, Wald believes that the perceived threat changed.  Continuing today, American Jews perceive the Christian right as the most significant threat to a secular America.

“Jews are uncomfortable with evangelicals as presidential candidates,” Wald stated.  In essence, Jews believe the right is “trying to Christianize and bring religion back into the political system.”

Wald’s explanation expands upon earlier theories. One such theory is that Jewish values naturally coincide with the platform offered by the Democrat Party. Wald asserted that Jews are “more captive to proposals to change, heal the world.” 

Wald also suggested a theory based on the minority consciousness of American Jews, asserting that Jews are “subjectively uncertain about their status in society.” In other words, Jews, like African Americans, are more likely to perceive actions as discriminatory.  One statistic to support this claim is that approximately 25 percent to 30 percent of Jews see anti-Semitism as a major problem.

The minority consciousness of American Jews is a quality that further distinguishes them from their Israeli counterparts, whom Wald describes as “much more right-wing than American Jews on just about everything.” And yet, as Wald further describes, Israel may be at least partially responsible for the Jewish association with the Democrat Party.

The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948, when Democrat Harry S. Truman occupied the Oval Office.  According to Wald, American Jews first found support in the Democrat Party, and since then, the relationship has deepened so that the Democrat Party now enjoys Jewish support.

Regardless of the specific reason, or reasons, for the association between American Jews and the Democrat Party, the correlation cannot be denied. “Seventy-four percent of Jews have voted Democrat in presidential elections,” Wald stated. Therefore, he believes that understanding American Jewish political behavior is important in analyzing future elections.

As the 2012 presidential election approaches, Wald and others will continue to monitor and observe this political trend.

 

Scott Englert is a sophomore in Siegfried whose passion for charity was demonstrated last Wednesday in sub-zero temperatures.  He can be reached at senglert@nd.edu