White Rural Rage: Book Overview

Are you curious about the political influence of rural white Americans? Do you wonder how this demographic shapes the current political landscape in the United States?

Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman's White Rural Rage book explores these questions in depth. This eye-opening work examines the disproportionate power held by white rural voters and its impact on American democracy.

Let's dive into the key insights from this thought-provoking book and uncover the factors driving political dynamics in rural America.

Overview of White Rural Rage

In the White Rural Rage book, authors Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman shed light on the significant political power wielded by white residents of rural America, despite their relatively small population. The book examines how legal structures like the Electoral College and gerrymandering amplify the influence of this demographic. It also details the economic challenges and lack of essential services that plague many rural communities, with minority residents facing even greater hardships.

The authors explore how a segment of the white rural population harbors views contrary to democratic principles, such as doubting election integrity and preferring authoritarian rule. The book also analyzes how politicians capitalize on the discontent within these communities to gain a political advantage, potentially exacerbating societal divisions in the process.

The Outsized Influence of Rural White Americans

White Americans living in rural areas have a level of political power that far exceeds their population size. This disproportionate influence stems from several structural factors in the U.S. political system. Let's take a closer look at how this plays out.

The U.S. Senate's structure gives a significant advantage to residents of predominantly rural and white regions. Each state gets two senators, regardless of population size. This means less populous, agrarian states have the same representation as highly populated urban states. As the population gap between the most and least populous states grows, so does this imbalance of power. For instance, West Virginia, with its largely white rural population, has as much sway in the Senate as California, despite having a fraction of the population.

The Electoral College system further amplifies the voting power of rural white Americans. It allocates a disproportionately large share of electoral votes to less populous states. While California's population is 69 times larger than Wyoming's, this difference shrinks considerably when looking at their relative influence in the Electoral College. This system has led to situations where Republican presidential candidates have won the election without winning the popular vote, as seen in 2016. Critics argue this undermines the core principle of democracy - one person, one vote.

Gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing voting district boundaries, also boosts the electoral power of white conservatives in rural areas. This often results in an over-representation of rural or mixed rural-suburban districts, magnifying the political influence of white conservative rural residents. Despite legal challenges, the Supreme Court's hands-off approach to gerrymandered districts has allowed the Republican Party to gain additional congressional representation, further amplifying the political voice of predominantly white rural communities.

The Republican Party's Rural White Base

The unwavering support of white rural voters has become increasingly crucial to Republican Party successes. GOP representatives have skillfully tapped into and intensified the discontent among white rural populations regarding perceived urban progressive ideologies. This strategy has effectively rallied their base and consolidated their votes.

The combination of the Electoral College design, unequal Senate representation, and House redistricting methods gives rural white Americans significant control over policy-making at all levels of government. The steadfast support from white rural constituents in regions like Oklahoma and West Virginia substantially bolsters the Republican Party's political clout.

It's worth noting that critics argue this reliance on an overrepresented white rural population erodes democratic values by creating a situation where votes don't carry equal weight. This disparity raises questions about the future direction of U.S. politics, especially given the tendencies of this specific group of citizens.

Economic Challenges in Rural America

Rural communities, especially those with substantial minority populations, are facing acute economic challenges. These areas have historically relied on resource extraction economies, which often prioritize wealth extraction over workforce investment. This has left local economies vulnerable as traditional sectors like agriculture face increased global competition and domination by large agribusinesses.

The global migration of manufacturing jobs has severely disrupted the economic foundation of rural areas. About one-third of small business owners in rural areas struggle to find local residents with the necessary skills for their job openings. The 2008 financial crisis hit counties with fewer than 100,000 residents particularly hard, leading to a slow recovery and the loss of roughly 175,000 job opportunities.

Economic mobility is at its lowest in the rural South and Midwest. The steady decline in union representation, coupled with the introduction of "right-to-work" laws, has exacerbated economic pressures in these regions. Local authorities are facing significant obstacles due to fiscal constraints.

In many rural areas, once-thriving town centers now resemble ghost towns. The disappearance of job prospects, stagnant wages, and the decline of previously bustling urban cores not only reflect economic downturn but also a diminished sense of community identity. The economic decline in formerly prosperous rural areas, which relied heavily on industries like coal mining, is often mistakenly attributed to environmental regulations when it's actually due to the increased adoption of alternative energy sources like natural gas and renewables.

There's a widespread belief that federal trade agreements have weakened the rural economy, intensifying the sense of decline. The increasing isolation from essential services like healthcare puts rural residents in difficult and potentially dangerous situations when they need assistance.

Healthcare Crisis in Rural America

The economic outlook for rural healthcare institutions is dire, with over half operating at a deficit and many closing entirely. This scarcity of medical facilities significantly affects emergency response times, potentially resulting in preventable deaths. Rural residents often have to travel great distances to get their prescriptions filled because nearby pharmacies have shut down.

Healthcare disparities are often magnified in rural areas with higher minority populations, partly because these areas are typically located farther from healthcare services. Moreover, the reluctance to support measures like Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act results in a higher proportion of uninsured individuals in rural areas. The significant reduction in life expectancy is particularly evident among white populations in rural settings, where preventable diseases and deaths have made a substantial impact.

Disproportionate Impact on Rural Minorities

While rural areas as a whole face economic challenges, these hardships and disparities impact rural minorities to a significantly greater extent than their white peers. Regions marked by persistent poverty often show a higher percentage of racial minority individuals suffering economic difficulties quietly, with a lack of recognition and assistance exacerbating their situation.

Employment opportunities in industries such as dairy and services, which frequently provide jobs to minority community members in rural areas, are declining, signaling wider economic challenges. Non-white rural residents face significant obstacles stemming from entrenched systemic problems, manifesting as limited availability of quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and housing options.

Educational disparities in rural America are underscored by the lower percentage of minority students who complete their education. Issues such as reduced rates of property ownership and more frequent experiences of food insecurity collectively highlight the profound challenges faced by rural minority populations.

Cultural Tensions in Rural America

The shifting demographics in rural America, characterized by an increase in diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, often meets with opposition and resentment, especially among white rural populations. While increasing diversity may bring economic benefits and revitalize certain areas, it also surfaces tensions in historically culturally homogenous communities.

Fear of foreigners, hostility towards immigrants, and racial bias persist, especially among white rural populations. An increase in minority populations may lead to intensified political rivalry and could potentially trigger polarizing responses. The reluctance of rural America to accept a more diverse demographic is evident in the tendency of rural whites to support policies that are unwelcoming to immigrants and to possess more intense sentiments of hostility towards racial and religious minorities, newcomers to the community, and urban dwellers.

The sense of shared identity that binds many rural Americans often fails to have the same impact on rural minorities, highlighting a significant divide. This divide is intensifying the challenges faced by rural areas as they adjust to demographic changes and strive to foster an inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

Anti-Democratic Tendencies in Rural White America

Many white residents in rural areas often demonstrate a propensity for beliefs and behaviors that aren't aligned with democratic principles. This includes doubts about the legitimacy of voting procedures, a tendency to give credence to unfounded narratives, and extensive mistrust in essential democratic institutions.

A sentiment of pronounced bitterness towards the fundamental principles of American democracy is commonly exhibited by numerous white residents in rural regions, a feeling that's often exacerbated by skilled authoritarian leaders. The influence of predominantly white rural communities may pose a threat to the foundational principles and durability of democratic governance in the United States, potentially eroding its fundamental tenets.

Many inhabitants of white rural areas are firmly convinced that the 2020 election was unjustly stolen, a belief that's at odds with democratic values. The conviction that political opponents are devoid of moral principles leads to the perception that any loss at the polls must be attributed to underhanded strategies, which in turn causes those affected to abandon democratic principles in an effort to safeguard their way of life.

In areas like Wisconsin, white rural communities are becoming more convinced of malevolent schemes and are preparing for social unrest. Even after Joe Biden assumed the presidency, they persist in the erroneous conviction that the 2020 presidential election underwent manipulation, which unjustly ousted former President Donald Trump from his position.

Support for essential democratic principles like free speech, an independent media, and constraints on presidential authority has waned among rural residents. They generally show less backing for fundamental principles of democracy, such as the autonomy of the press, the separation of church and state, and the importance of a system of governance that balances and monitors power. A significant body of academic research emphasizes their growing discomfort with outsiders and their potentially dangerous attitudes that oppose the tenets of democracy.

Attraction to Authoritarian and White Supremacist Ideologies

A significant number of white individuals in rural regions are drawn to belief systems that endorse authoritarian rule and blend Christian doctrines with patriotic sentiment. They also show a preference for belief systems that promote white supremacy. Anxiety over changing demographic patterns prompts rural communities, which are mainly white, to respond in ways that could impede the nation's advancement towards a more diverse and inclusive society.

Individuals from predominantly white rural areas frequently gravitate toward authoritarian beliefs. This includes supporters of the constitutional sheriff movement who mistakenly believe local sheriffs have the power to supersede state and federal legislation, as well as those who are determined to integrate their religious values into governmental policies.

Organizations like the Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters spread extreme ideologies that incite chaos and insurrection, with the goal of creating governance systems that emphasize values often associated with White Christianity, which tend to erode the foundations of secular institutions. This radicalization is reinforced by programs like the Claremont Institute's Sheriffs Fellowship, which ingrains in law enforcement officers a deeply rooted belief system based on the principles of Christian nationalism.

Openness to Political Violence

Residents of rural areas are often more open to the notion of using violence to achieve political goals. The assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th underscores their readiness to engage in drastic actions that undermine democratic procedures. They've gained recognition for backing militias and organizations that hold extreme ideologies and function in a manner akin to vigilantes.

A significant portion of rural Americans are of the opinion that they may be compelled to resort to violence in dealings with the government. A considerable portion of the U.S. populace, roughly 9 percent mainly hailing from rural regions, holds the conviction that employing violence is defensible if it serves to restore Donald Trump to the presidency. Areas with predominantly rural populations might have a higher tendency to adopt extreme ideologies that are in conflict with democratic values, potentially resulting in violent confrontations as they strive to regain what they perceive as their lost power.

Political Exploitation of Rural Discontent

Politicians, particularly those affiliated with the Republican Party, have skillfully exploited the dissatisfaction among primarily white rural inhabitants to secure electoral victories. Let's delve into how this exploitation works and its implications.

Republican leaders stoke the prevalent discontent in predominantly white, rural regions to maintain their political dominance. They're well aware of the concerns that resonate with their predominantly white, rural supporters and consistently highlight these issues as a key element of their base of support. They often blame the challenges encountered in rural regions on the impact of big cities, progressive beliefs, and the existence of diverse ethnic communities. This strategy shifts focus away from the inadequacies of politicians in addressing the genuine issues affecting these communities by placing responsibility on external forces.

Additionally, they've propagated baseless narratives about deceptive electoral conduct, the perceived threat from newcomers, and the deterioration of traditional standards. Rural white Americans find a connection with the tales that evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone time and provide simple explanations for complex problems.

The Republican Party's Reliance on Rural White Support

The fervent support of discontented individuals, primarily from white rural regions, has become increasingly crucial to the Republican Party. Prominent figures in the Republican Party now use rhetoric that reveals a marked bias towards those born in the country and an opposition to democratic principles, signifying a profound shift in the political terrain. They've effectively garnered the loyalty and proactive backing of rural dwellers by presenting themselves as fervent defenders of the principles cherished by this demographic.

There's a pervasive hesitance to address the real challenges, both economic and societal, that rural communities face. The focus is on appeasing rural white communities through the provision of symbolic victories in cultural conflicts, which sustains a cycle of despair rather than enacting substantial policies that would genuinely improve their living conditions.

Undermining Democracy and Widening the Urban-Rural Divide

The exploitation of discontent among white rural communities undermines democratic values and intensifies the urban-rural schism. The conviction held by white individuals in rural areas that they're unjustly marginalized by the system not only breeds discontent but can also provoke extreme measures. The increasing divide between urban centers and their rural counterparts is exacerbating social tensions and undermining the core values that underpin democratic governance.

Political leaders from all parties have played a role in exacerbating the divide that separates Americans living in urban areas from those in the countryside. Ignoring the issues plaguing rural areas further amplifies the sense of invisibility felt by these communities. Current political strategies often deepen social rifts instead of fostering harmony and cooperation, thereby undermining the fabric of society and the soundness of the democratic process.