This week, I've organized the states into their Culture Region with a preference for population, since that's what would determine the legality of an issue. I cross-referenced the previously posted cultural regions map and this population map by the US census. I've also collected data on three of my six issues. Here is the Excel chart so far. (save as to view)
For issues, I've settled on Reproductive Choice, Euthanasia, Gene Theft, Faith Healing, Vaccines and (added) Death Penalty since these are easily verifiable, mufti-faceted issues.
For the issue of abortion, I've decided to use NARAL's rating for each state since it combines all factors such as waiting periods, vaginal ultra-sounds, and so on. (their methodology here.) I've also combined contraception and abortion as issues since they include both in their rating. They have been accused of not being entirely supportive of low-income women and of championing contraception over all other factors (I.E. they were accused of not doing enough to stop forced sterilizations in China and India) but if all I'm trying to summarize is the ease of obtaining contraceptives and abortions in US states, these factors shouldn't effect the quality of the rating.
In my data so far, things are looking to be pretty homogenous within cultural regions. There are outliers (such as Utah and Idaho where a majority of the population is Mormon. In fact, the author noted he almost made that region it's own nation because the values are so influenced by Mormon conservationism.)When I have finished the table, I will compare the results to the values laid out for the regional cultures and see how certain values effect biopolitical policy.
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