The North-South divide is a common expression used in Europe but not so much here. It refers to people of the first and third world, and the difference between them. Not so much pertaining to wealth and percentage of world resources, but cultural differences regarding hard work and organization.
Initially everyone was of the South. People lived an agrarian lifestyle where pleasure was coveted, work was done to survive, and education wasn’t important. Back then, people accepted life for what it was and endured suffering or enjoyed times of beauty as they came. Then two major events occurred. Thanks to our friends the Germans and the Brits, some of us began to appreciate education and started to work hard.
Protestant work ethic
The Protestant split from the Catholic Church occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries. It became known as the Reformation and was led by Britain and Germany. These churches continued to remain Christian but added their own denominational twists. More importantly, for the sake of this discussion, it gave governments control over social norms.
Because of the church’s heavy influence over culture, governments could now mold people as they wished and some countries capitalized on the opportunity. They got churches to tell people that God wanted them to work hard, which became known as the Protestant work ethic. Perhaps it was initially for military purposes but once the Industrial Revolution began it boded well for business—a place where ambition and hard work are highly regarded. Then, in further response to this revolution, modern Europe instituted mass public education.
America
America has always had its own spin. Their form of Protestantism began in the 1730s. It generally stuck with the European model except Evangelicalism pulled away from the formal, ceremonial, hierarchical stuff and made Christianity intensely personal to the average person. It also gave the Protestant work ethic a boost.
The American ideology became: hard work is the way to heaven and the American dream. You’re in control of your own life. Heaven and wealth are not just for the elites. Everything is up to you. (Now you see where the conservative principle of self-reliance comes from.)
The South
This Northern idea of “all work, no play” was built into society by way of religion. Southerners didn’t have anything like this. They lived solely for dancing, good food, and making love—working only when they had to. Basically, achieving nothing.
It’s the educated and hardworking versus their opposites. The North is built upon the Protestant work ethic plus mass education, while the South is based on living for the moment.
When the British were acquiring land for their empire in the 1800s, they believed they were doing inhabitants a favour. All they encountered was a pleasure seeking populace being served by an idiot king. The Brits brought with them medicine, education, production methodology, and a legal system. Plus administration to keep it all together.
Conclusion
Nothing ever lines up exactly as described because you can’t categorize individual people, let alone whole countries. But knowing these differences is essential for dealing with developing nations. They just see things differently. And though we certainly have southern-style people living here, it’s probably best to continue with the policy of making everyone the same. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with having a good time.