Apr 29, 2024 18:00:00

Pointing out that 'rural whites' pose a threat to American democracy

In the United States, the world's largest economic power, racial discrimination, conflict over LGBTQ+ rights, and worsening economic disparities are issues, and attention is focused on the outcome of

the 2024 presidential election . Meanwhile, Thomas Schaller , a political science professor at the University of Maryland , pointed out that 'white people living in rural America' could be a threat to democracy.

Why rural white Americans' resentment is a threat to democracy
https://theconversation.com/why-rural-white-americans-resentment-is-a-threat-to-democracy-224346

Schaller points out that although the population of urban areas is larger than that of rural areas in the United States, the division of electoral districts gives rural populations a disproportionate amount of electoral power. According to the United States Census Bureau , about 20% of Americans live in rural areas, and three-quarters of them are white. In other words, about 15% of Americans are 'rural whites,' and these people have a lot of power in the major political parties.

In White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy, co-authored with columnist Paul Waldman , Schaller describes rural whites as an 'essential minority.' Gaining support from rural whites is important to maintaining power, but recent polls suggest that rural whites are losing their commitment to the American political system. Schaller points out that even if these people are not members of extremist organizations, they pose a threat to America's pluralistic , constitutional democratic national administration.

Regarding the characteristics of 'rural whites,' Schaller lists the following: Of course, it is important to note that the following characteristics do not apply to all rural whites, but rather that these tendencies are seen when compared to other Americans.

They are the most racist, anti-inclusive,

xenophobic , anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-immigrant among Americans.

- They are most likely to support conspiracy theories about QAnon , the 2020 presidential election , former President Barack Obama's citizenship , and COVID-19 vaccines .

Supports a variety of anti-democratic and unconstitutional positions, and has a strong affinity for white nationalist and white Christian nationalist movements that are opposed to secular and constitutional rule.

- They are most likely to justify force and violence as an alternative to peaceful democracy based on discussion.

Xenophobia
The graph below shows the results of a survey on diversity and racism conducted in 2018 by

the Pew Research Center , an American think tank, targeting Americans living in rural, suburban, and urban areas. The percentage of people who agree with statements such as 'It is personally (very or somewhat) important to live in a community that is racially and ethnically diverse,' 'White people benefit (a great deal or fair amount) from advantages Black people do not have,' 'It's (very or somewhat) good that same-sex marriage is legal,' and 'The growing number of newcomers from other countries strengthens American society' is decreasing in the following order: urban [suburban] [rural].

Conspiracy Theories
In addition, a 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that rural areas were more likely to agree with statements such as 'The 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump' and 'The government, media and financial worlds are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation.'

Anti-democratic beliefs
According to

the American National Election Studies (ANES) , a survey of US elections, people in rural areas are more likely to agree with anti-democratic statements such as 'Not at all important to allow news organizations to criticize political leaders,' 'Favor restricting media access to government decision-making,' and 'It would be helpful or OK if the president didn't have to worry about Congress or the courts.'

Justifying Violence
A survey by

the Public Religion Institute and the University of Chicago found that rural areas were most likely to support violent statements such as 'True American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country' and 'It may be necessary at some point soon for citizens to take up arms against the government.'

These data show that white people living in rural America are more likely to be xenophobic, believe in conspiracy theories, and hold anti-democratic beliefs and ideas that justify violence.

Schaller pointed out that because 71% of rural white voters voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election, 'rural whites' will likely have a major influence on the election results in the 2024 presidential election as well.