Episode 18: Red America & Blue America
Latest episode is live, with Mike Podhorzer of Weekend Reading
Quick, post-debate note to let you know I published the latest episode of Cross Tabs today, featuring my first repeat guest,
Michael Podhorzer of Weekend Reading talking about his excellent thinking on The Two Americas. If you’re not familiar with this analysis, start here:
And then take a listen to this conversation with Mike.
Here are some highlights of our discussion:
America is deeply divided into two distinct nations, shaped by historical, economic, and cultural forces that extend far beyond simple demographics. This divide manifests in vastly different lived experiences, policy preferences, and institutional structures between red and blue states, with profound implications for the future of American democracy and governance.
The Two Americas: A New Understanding of Political Division
The United States is effectively composed of two distinct nations with fundamentally different visions for American life. These two Americas — broadly categorized as "Red" and "Blue" — have divergent economic models, religious institutions, and approaches to governance. Red America tends to favor a low-wage, extraction-based economy with strong religious influence, while Blue America leans towards a knowledge-based economy with higher wages and more secular institutions. This divide is not merely ideological but is reflected in stark differences in health outcomes, education levels, and economic indicators between red and blue states.
The Limitations of Traditional Polling and Demographics
Traditional polling and demographic categorizations often fail to capture the true nature of America's political divide. For instance, the commonly used "college-educated" vs. "non-college-educated" distinction oversimplifies complex realities and ignores important factors like racial and economic diversity within these groups. More meaningful insights can be gained by examining factors such as religious affiliation, union membership, and regional economic models, which often have stronger correlations with political preferences than broad demographic categories.
Historical Context: From the Founding to the Cold War
The roots of America's current political divide can be traced back to the country's founding. The Constitution itself was a mutual defense pact between states with different economic models and values. This divide persisted through the Civil War and beyond, with the South maintaining a distinct political and cultural identity. The period from the Great Depression to the end of the Cold War saw a temporary convergence of political views, largely due to external threats and shared wartime experiences. However, the fall of the Soviet Union removed a unifying external threat, allowing internal divisions to resurface.
The Rise of Factionalism and Its Impact on Governance
The resurgence of factionalism in American politics has increased polarization and gridlock. This is particularly evident in the way different regions approach governance. Red states tend to favor policies that align with traditional religious values and low-regulation economic models, while blue states prioritize public investment and more progressive social policies. This divide is reinforced by gerrymandering and the increasing influence of primary voters, particularly in red states where evangelical Christians often make up a significant portion of the Republican primary electorate.
Unions: An Unexpected Source of Political Alignment
Despite the overall trend of polarization, labor unions have emerged as a surprising source of cross-partisan appeal. Union approval has been increasing across party lines, with even Republican voters showing growing support. This trend is attributed to unions' ability to deliver tangible benefits to members, such as better wages and job security, in contrast to a political system that many feel has stopped delivering for ordinary people. The experience of union membership also tends to break down tribal divisions and foster a sense of collective identity based on shared economic interests.
The Path Forward: Collective Action and Systemic Change
Addressing America's deep political divide will require moving beyond individual-level solutions and embracing collective action. This includes strengthening democratic institutions like unions that can balance power between workers and employers. Additionally, there's a growing need to challenge the assumption that current constitutional structures are immutable. Just as the founders reimagined governance in their time, today's Americans may need to consider bold reforms to create a more functional and representative democracy. The key lies in shifting from a mindset of learned helplessness to one of agency and responsibility for shaping the country's future.
Listen to the episode on Spotify:
Resources
"The Limits of Education Essentialism" by Mike Podhorzer (Weekend Reading)
- This piece argues that educational attainment is overemphasized in political analysis, suggesting other factors like racial resentment have stronger correlations to party preference.
"The Two Nations of America" by Mike Podhorzer (Weekend Reading)
- This post explores the fundamental differences between "Red America" and "Blue America," arguing that they represent two distinct ways of living with different values, economic models, and visions for the country's future.
- The podcast discusses Gary Wills' book Bomb Power, which explores how nuclear weapons have reshaped the American presidency and constitutional balance of power.
- Mike talks with Amy Walter about horse race polls, education polarization and the anti-maga coalition.