In this week’s episode of Politics In Question, Thomas Schaller and Paul Waldman join Lee and James to discuss the urban-rural divide in American politics. Schaller is a professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Waldman is a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in numerous publications, including MSNBC. Their new book is White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy (Random House, 2024).
Why is Mingo County, West Virginia important? How has the decline of political parties shaped America’s present rural-urban divide? What is rural America? Do rural white Americans all think the same thing? Are rural Americans unique in their frustration with the federal government? Or are people from all walks of life frustrated with their government? These are some of the questions Tom, Paul, Lee, and James ask – and argue about – in this week’s episode.
What is the state of American Democracy?
What is the right way to do politics?
Is the House broken?
Why can't Americans compromise?
Are Americans democracy hypocrites?
What does 2023 tell us about what could happen in American politics in 2024?
How can Americans bridge the urban-rural divide in their politics?
What does political polling miss?
Why are political leaders important?
What will American democracy look like in the 21st century?
Why does the House need a Speaker?
What can social movements teach us about American politics?
What's wrong with American politics and how can we make it right?
Are state legislators really accountable to their voters?
How did Trump threaten American self-government when he was president?
Where do busy people find the time to participate in democratic self-government?
What can storytelling teach us about politics?
Why Congress?
Why is it so hard to buy things with nickels? (plus questions about the debt limit debate and 2024 presidential election)
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