PDF Summary:White Rural Rage, by Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman

In White Rural Rage, 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.

(continued)...

Economic hardships and disparities impact rural minorities to a significantly greater extent than they affect their white peers.

Members of minority communities in rural regions typically encounter more severe economic hardships than the white residents in those same areas. Regions marked by persistent poverty often show a higher percentage of individuals from racial minority groups who suffer 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 members of minority communities in countryside areas, are on the decline, signaling wider economic challenges.

People residing in countryside regions who are not white encounter significant obstacles stemming from entrenched systemic problems, which manifest as limited availability of superior healthcare, educational opportunities, and housing options. Educational disparities in rural America are underscored by the lower percentage of minority students who complete their education, along with issues such as reduced rates of property possession and a more frequent experience of food scarcity, collectively highlighting the profound challenges faced by these communities' minority populations.

The introduction of diverse cultural elements often meets with opposition and animosity in America's rural areas.

The shifting demographics highlight a significant shift characterized by a rise in varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds across America's countryside. This transformation frequently meets with opposition and resentment, especially among individuals who make their homes in areas largely inhabited by white rural populations. Increasing diversity may come with economic benefits and revitalize certain areas, but it also surfaces tensions in communities that have historically been culturally homogenous. Fear of foreigners, hostility towards immigrants, and racial bias persist, especially among white populations in countryside regions.

An increase in the population of minority groups may lead to intensified political rivalry and could potentially trigger a polarizing response. The hesitation of rural America to accept a more varied demographic is evident in the tendency of rural Whites to support policies that are not welcoming 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. The divide is intensifying the challenges faced by rural areas as they adjust to demographic changes and endeavor to foster an inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

Numerous white residents in countryside regions frequently demonstrate a propensity for beliefs and behaviors that are not aligned with democratic principles.

The article examines the doubts about the legitimacy of voting procedures and the tendency of rural White Americans to give credence to unfounded narratives, coupled with their extensive mistrust in the essential institutions that uphold democratic principles.

Rural white inhabitants often exhibit greater skepticism regarding election results and maintain a wary perspective of 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 is 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. Their growth fosters attitudes that undermine democratic principles, inclining more towards concocted narratives, such as conspiracy theories, instead of upholding the fundamental tenets of scientific inquiry and the essential beliefs inherent in a democratic society.

Many inhabitants of White rural areas are firmly convinced that the 2020 election was unjustly stolen, a belief that is 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 impacted to abandon democratic principles in an effort to safeguard their way of life.

The pervasive conviction that the 2020 election was unlawfully taken.

In areas like Wisconsin, the 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. Elise Stefanik is often linked to the dissemination of baseless QAnon theories and the continuous propagation of unverified claims about election fraud.

Support for essential democratic principles like free speech, an independent media, and constraints on the authority of the president has waned.

Residents of rural areas 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. People living in the countryside generally possess lower levels of trust in the reliability and fairness of voting systems compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

A significant number of white individuals in countryside regions are drawn to belief systems that endorse authoritarian rule and blend Christian doctrines with patriotic sentiment, and they also show a preference for belief systems that promote the supremacy of whites.

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 countryside areas frequently gravitate toward authoritarian beliefs, including 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.

Residents of rural areas are often more open to the notion of using violence to achieve political goals.

Individuals residing in countryside regions demonstrate an alarming readiness to resort to violence to fulfill their 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 have 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 countryside 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.

Politicians exploit and amplify the discontent prevalent in mainly white, rural areas to gain a political edge.

The dissatisfaction among the primarily Caucasian inhabitants of rural areas has been stoked by the difficulties that these regions encounter, which politicians, particularly those affiliated with the Republican Party, have skillfully exploited 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.

Elected Republican officials are 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 have 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 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 have effectively garnered the loyalty and proactive backing of countryside dwellers by presenting themselves as fervent defenders of the principles cherished by this demographic.

There is a pervasive hesitance to address the real challenges, both economic and societal, that communities in rural areas 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.

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 are 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.