Explaining Elite Attitudes On the Georgia Flag

Abstract

Confederate symbols continue to spark controversy throughout the South. Analysis of a survey of Georgia campaign contributors reveals that a variety of factors—racial attitudes, conservative identity, and traditionalist values—help account for support for the state flag, which contains the Confederate battle emblem. Older respondents were more likely to support the flag as well. The results are consistent with a "symbolic politics" approach, where symbols trigger affective responses based on earlier socialization experiences. Contributors who grew up outside the South respond differently to the flag, providing additional support for the symbolic politics argument.