J D Vance and Scots-Irish bellicosity
J D VANCE, Trump’s running mate in the upcoming presidential election and potential future vice president, is vocal about his Scots-Irish heritage. Such a heritage, Vance writes in his bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, encompasses “many good traits – an intense sense of loyalty, a fierce dedication to family and country – but also many bad ones”.
These traits – addiction, lack of trust in outsiders, a propensity for violence – are a constant theme throughout the book. They also permeated life for those initial Scots-Irish immigrants. Indeed it is in the last facet – a propensity for violence – that the Scots-Irish excelled, and it is one in which Vance has been accustomed to throughout his life, continuing into his nomination acceptance speech which was punctuated by speaking of the belligerence of a people who would “not fight for abstractions, but they will fight for their home”.
The Scots-Irish inclination towards violence largely originates from the …
The rest of this article features in our July 2024 print issue, available to subscribers.
