9.3.13: Political Landscapes
- Page ID
- 212740
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Political landscapes are probably the most ubiquitous of all landscapes in the United States because the government, in one way or another, shapes nearly every square foot of the land. Some political landscapes are obvious, like courthouses, capitol buildings. Others slightly less so, like streets, bridges, telephone pools, schools or firehouses. Still other landscapes, like forests, rivers, beaches or farmlands appear to be unrelated to politics or government, but even those can be read as the product of government policies such as the Clean Water Act, laws regulating endangered species or a succession of congressional farm bills. Even the seat you are sitting in, the carpet or tile under your feet and the air you’re breathing has probably been regulated, safety tested or taxed by the government. For the purposes of this discussion, however, most of the discussion will focus on the more obvious governmental landscapes, and the more accessible “cultural wars” that shape the political environment we navigate daily.
Figure: Washington DC: The Capitol building is most famous example of Classical Revival architecture in the US, the obvious reference to the political ideals of the Romans and Greeks