If Books Could Kill

What's The Matter With Kansas?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In 2004, historian Thomas Frank proposed a theory about the rightward drift of the white working class. Was he a prescient king whose work presaged the rise of Trump — or a bumbling fool with a broken thesis?  Unfortunately it turns out he is a secret third thing that takes one hour and six minutes to explain.

Special thanks to Julia Valdés for her help with this episode!

Where to find us: 

• Peter’s other podcast, 5-4
• Mike’s other podcast, Maintenance Phase

Sources:

• The Thesis That Drove American Politics Crazy: The Emerging Democratic Majority
• What’s the Matter with What’s the Matter with Kansas?
• Class is Dismissed
• The White Working Class and the Democratic Party
• It’s time to bust the myth: Most Trump voters were not working class.
• How the diploma divide came to dominate American politics
• The ‘Diploma Divide’: Does It Exist for Racial and Ethnic Minorities?
• Blind Retrospection: Why Shark Attacks Are Bad For Democracy
• Nationally poor, locally rich: Income and local context in the 2016 presidential election
• Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government
• Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America
• Political Landscapes of Donald Trump
• The White Working Class and the 2016 Election
• Partisanship by family income, home ownership, union membership and veteran status
• The Elites Had It Coming
• What Explains Educational Realignment Among White Americans?

Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

More Great Podcasts:

NPR News: 01-21-2025 6PM EST

NPR News: 01-21-2025 6PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy... Read more

Horizon Zero Dawn MMO Reportedly Cancelled - Kinda Funny Games Daily 01.21.25

Go to http://shadyrays.com and use code FUNNY to get 35% off polarized sunglasses.Go to http://rocketmoney.com/kindafunny to cancel your unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money.Horizon’s MMO has been seemingly cancelled, Bend... Read more

E1493: All About Starlink and Direct-To-Cell with @jcristina

Join me as I welcome Joe Cristina from his channel called  @jcristina  onto the show. Today we talk about all Starlink and the direct-to-cell feature... Read more

“How Do I Market and Position My Work So That People Actually Want It? Help!”

You do awesome work, you just need people to pay you to do it. So now, you need to figure out: how do you describe... Read more

What is Down syndrome?

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having... Read more

January 21, 2025. Trip Advisor top ten reviewed cities does not include Orlando? Oceania is brining back Jacques for the new build!

The number most reviewed destination on Trip Advisor is New York City. Also, the number one in police reports! Oceania's French restaurant will return to... Read more

Reputation Reform

This episode will expire in 24 hours! Missed an episode? Pick it back up anytime! Want the back catalog? Become a supporter on Patreon! patreon.com/mercuryradio More... Read more

A Case of the Mondays (OOTP Chapter 12, Professor Umbridge)

Crack open a pack of your favorite biscuits and pull up a comfy chair because this week we’re discussing Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and... Read more

Parenting in the Digital Age: How to Simplify, Connect, and Raise Confident Children with Developmental Psychologist Aliza Pressman

Guess who’s back, back again—Aliza Pressman! And if you caught last week’s rerun with the magnificent Dr. Pressman, you know you’re in for a treat.... Read more

Older posts