White Rural Rage

The Threat to American Democracy

De: Tom Schaller, Paul Waldman

Narrado por: Ray Porter

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A searing portrait and damning takedown of America’s proudest citizens—who are also the least likely to defend its core principles

“This is an important book that ought to be read by anyone who wants to understand politics in the perilous Age of Trump.”—David Corn, New York Times bestselling author of American Psychosis

White rural voters hold the greatest electoral sway of any demographic group in the United States, yet rural communities suffer from poor healthcare access, failing infrastructure, and severe manufacturing and farming job losses. Rural voters believe our nation has betrayed them, and to some degree, they’re right. In White Rural Rage, Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman explore why rural Whites have failed to reap the benefits from their outsize political power and why, as a result, they are the most likely group to abandon democratic norms and traditions. Their rage—stoked daily by Republican politicians and the conservative media—now poses an existential threat to the United States.

Schaller and Waldman show how vulnerable U.S. democracy has become to rural Whites who, despite legitimate grievances, are increasingly inclined to hold racist and xenophobic beliefs, to believe in conspiracy theories, to accept violence as a legitimate course of political action, and to exhibit antidemocratic tendencies. Rural White Americans’ attitude might best be described as “I love my country, but not our country,” Schaller and Waldman argue. This phenomenon is the patriot paradox of rural America: The citizens who take such pride in their patriotism are also the least likely to defend core American principles. And by stoking rural Whites’ anger rather than addressing the hard problems they face, conservative politicians and talking heads create a feedback loop of resentments that are undermining American democracy.

Schaller and Waldman provocatively critique both the structures that permit rural Whites’ disproportionate influence over American governance and the prospects for creating a pluralist, inclusive democracy that delivers policy solutions that benefit rural communities. They conclude with a political reimagining that offers a better future for both rural people and the rest of America.

©2024 Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman (P)2024 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Someone write a new elegy for the bilious hillbilly, because these authors went for his jugular . . . Next to their characterizations, ‘basket of deplorables’ sounds almost quaint, and many readers may find guilty satisfaction in that.”—The Washington Post

“[Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman] persuasively argue that most of the negative stereotypes liberals hold about rural Americans are actually true. They do not mince words about what this means for the future of democracy in America. . . . And Schaller and Waldman bring receipts.”—The Daily Beast

“America’s seemingly most patriotic citizens—rural Americans—are losing their faith in democracy because both the Democratic and Republican parties have long ignored their needs. This important book argues that the survival of our democracy depends on our willingness to strengthen the heartland economically, rather than exploit its fears.”—Barbara F. Walter, New York Times bestselling author of How Civil Wars Start

Independent movement is needed

My town was mentioned and my town is only 49% registered republican. So instead of discussing coalitions that could change the local politics, insulting the character of the community was more important. Uncontested general elections is the problem and the Democratic Party isn’t the solution. Red county in a blue state with closed primaries is the cause of many horrendous politicians or vice versa. Local primaries are won with single digit support of eligible voters. Fix the system instead of insulting communities.

A sad take on the rural decay in our nation

This was well written but difficult to listen for a rural dweller. I have lived through the decline of the quality of life in rural America and still struggle to understand how minorities are scapegoated for this decline. Clearly it is policy that put us in this place and not our neighbors.

lots to think about

sometimes listening to all the facts & figures was a little dry. But lots of good points & things to think about.

Insightful Analysis of Our Current Dilemma

This book is well written and contains numerous statistics that back up the argument that the rural population of the United States is being fueled by an angry politics that results in it becoming an illiberal mob that votes against its own self-interest based on anger and resentment.

Change is essential

The author notes laid out the reasoning behind the data collection methods and interpretation. I hope all patriots will understand how continuous work to change and improve our government is essential.

truth

it was very interesting for the fact that many people don't want to know the truth.

finally some reality

they don't go far enough. it seems they are willing to give a benefit of a doubt about the behavior they spend the book discribing.

Insightful!

A must read if you want to better understand the current state of affairs dividing our country.

Solid and persuasive content, but the condescending tone of the narrator detracted from the message.

I should have read it rather than listening to this book. The narrator was professional, but spoke in a tone that seemed very condescending. I found the content interesting and persuasive, but the delivery made me uncomfortable. I worry that the content will be less persuasive to someone who is otherwise open to consideration of the content.

Puts Republican Support for the Electoral College in Perspective.

I've talked to a lot of conservatives, many of them family members, and the breadth of support for authoritarianism is astounding. As a former conservative who lives in Louisville, KY, the racism I've personally witnessed since 2020, especially after LMPD killed Breonna Taylor and Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, sent me running from conservatism and the Republican party. White conservatives, not just rural white conservatives, are so afraid of losing their privileged status they are willing to forego Democracy just to keep that privilege. Rather than adapt to our country's changing demographics they want a "strongman" leader who will guarantee their white privilege. Funny that they seem afraid to be in a minority group, it's almost like they know how the white majority has treated minorities groups in the past and they don't want it to happen to them.

This book lays out that whole narrative and it comes with the receipts. A must read for conservatives who worry about the MAGA cult and why they don't recognize so many people who they once aligned with.