Why Demographics Are Not Destiny

“Both the Left and the Right are wrong that demographics are fundamental to the political future of America (or of any other society). Demographics are not destiny.”

The phrase “Demographics are destiny” conveys an idea uttered in some right-wing circles and quietly believed in some left-wing ones. In political terms, the phrase suggests either cultural or genetic determinism, or both. It suggests that people of a particular culture, ethnicity, or race will (statistically) vote a particular way. Although these highly politically incorrect words won’t leave leftist lips, some of their common narratives can only be true if they also believe that this three-worded devil is, too. For example, in 2019, Sabrina Tavernise of The New York Times wrote that “Once the heart of the confederacy, Virginia is now the land of Indian grocery stores, Korean churches and Diwali festivals…It is also significantly less white.” Beyond Virginia, Tavernise goes on to credit this browning of America for other Democrat victories when she writes, “Democrats took control of the House and elevated Nancy Pelosi to speaker in 2018 because of victories in these fast-changing parts of of America, and both parties are preparing for battle over these voters in 2020.”

Meanwhile, there was recently a civil war in American conservatism, largely surrounding the intersection between demographics, culture, immigration, and voting patterns. Mainstream conservative voices argued that race is irrelevant, illegal immigration should be curbed, and that culture transcends race. The more dissident wing questioned whether or not a freedom-minded American Republic could survive mass legal immigration from third-world countries, since their cultures and genetics lend themselves to voting for larger and larger government.

But ideas don’t travel through the birth canal, nor are they shielded from their environment…

I sometimes roll my eyes at “both sides are wrong” assertions, especially when their champions are driven by a desire to appear fair-minded and above the fray, rather than by a desire to pursue the truth. Alas, feel free to accuse me of the same, but, in this case, it’s true: Both the Left and the Right are wrong that demographics are fundamental to the political future of America (or of any other society). Demographics are not destiny.