Despite the Red-State Blue-State Split, America is Rather Purple Fact
Despite the Red-State Blue-State split of the two-party system (between city and rural regions), America is rather purple (meaning all regions have a mix of voters).
Geography and Places
Geography and places is a broad category that includes all natural and manmade locations. It’s two broad subdivisions are Physical Geography (naturally occurring geography) and Human Geography (man made geography).
How the Tension Between City Interests and Rural Interests Affects Politics
The tension between city interests and rural interests is at the heart of much political polarization, and in America it begs “the Southern Question”.
The United States as a Concept
The United States can be thought of as a union of diverse and sovereign regions, of sovereign people, who agree on the basic principles of democracy, republicanism, federalism, and liberalism in general.
The Dutch Traded Manhattan for Nutmeg Fact
At the height of the spice trade, the Dutch traded Manhattan to the English for the Nutmeg-rich Run Island via the 1674 Treaty of Westminster.
“Hail, Columbia” was an Unofficial National Anthem of the United States.
The song “Hail, Columbia” is one of several songs once considered an unofficial national anthem of the United States.
America Has Historically Been Referred to as Columbia Fact
While the term Columbia sometimes refers to the whole New World (all the Americas), historically the United States of America was called Columbia specifically (especially after the 1730s when Christopher Columbus became increasingly idealized for his pioneering spirit).
Athens had a Democracy Fact
Classical Athens had a type of Direct Democracy that included direct voting on laws and election by lottery, but participation was limited to adult male citizens who owned land.
Mark Twain is a Pen Name Fact
Mark Twain is a pen name, his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. “Mark” “Twain” is a riverboat term for measuring two fathoms (12 feet): mark (measure) twain (two).
Plato Vs. Aristotle (Politics)
Plato can be understood as the father of rationalism and political philosophy (political idealism), and Aristotle, his student, the father of empiricism and political science (political realism).
Toilets Flush Backwards in Australia Myth
Despite the Coriolis Effect, toilets don’t flush backwards in Australia (or on the other side of the world, or in different hemispheres, or on one side of the equator).