I’ve been thinking a lot about the difficulty Americans are having in communicating, a problem exacerbated by our ability to inhabit vastly different information “bubbles,” thanks to the Internet. The battles over what constitutes effective messaging is one example of that concern.
A recent article in the Bulwark points to a problem I had not previously considered.
Research confirms that concern over losing democracy is motivating large numbers of Americans–that “the resistance” is responding in large part to the fear that Trump and a fascist plutocracy is displacing democratic self-rule.
Like many others in that resistance, I have assumed that most people unconcerned with this threat were people unaware of it–folks insulated from accurate news thanks to their residence in an informational bubble of their choosing, or those with a disinclination to access any news at all.
According to the linked article, that assumption is wrong. It isn’t that these folks are unaware of the threat to democracy–a significant subset are aware of that threat, and welcome it.
The article details findings from a large ethnographic study recently published by the Johns Hopkins Agora Institute, in which researchers “embedded with folks in super-red counties in Wyoming, Michigan, and South Carolina.” It involved sustained immersion in people’s homes, lives, and communities, during which researchers conducted extensive interviews and engaged in relationship-building.
The article reports what it calls the “big takeaway: “14 out of 21 participants in this study had an immediate negative reaction when asked about democracy. Furthermore, the people in the study were remarkably consistent about why they dislike democracy, and it wasn’t because they were mistaken about what democracy is.”
Sarah (mid 30s, WY), a homeschooling mother, put it plainly: “I don’t like the word democracy.” Clint (70s, MI), a retiree, was equally direct: “[Democrats and liberals] talk about our democracy. We don’t have a democracy yet. If we do, it’ll be a problem . . . [democracies] often start as republics, and then they devolve to democracies, then they turn into tyranny and / or anarchy.” During an exercise in which we presented respondents with a range of scenarios that represent a deviation from democratic norms, ranging from firing investigators accused of politically motivated bias to restricting press coverage and challenging legitimate election outcomes, nearly every conservative we met supported at least one deviation.
Even more surprising, it turned out that most participants didn’t believe that they were part of a “silent majority.” There was significant agreement that, as Trump supporters, they were a minority. They simply believed that they were under threat from a tyrannical majority.
They believe that there is a cultural schism in America, with good, God-fearing people like themselves on one side and the wicked majority on the other. They detest this imaginary majority and fear that “democracy” would allow that majority to gain political power.
They very explicitly do not want majority rule.
They want minority rule.
The people in the study were candid, sharing their belief that a ‘true’ democracy/ majority rule requires a population with shared values and realities. They see themselves as defenders of “real” morality, and recognize that the majority doesn’t share their values. They therefore reject majority rule. “They see Trump as championing rural, small-town Americans, who they believe are marginalized by this majority.” (The people in this study exhibited little to no understanding of how American government or politics actually work, and were clearly unaware that outdated systems have amplified minority power– that rural states and areas currently exercise outsized control over the federal government relative to their populations.)
The conservative voters in the study see the country’s cosmopolitan majority pulling their children away from their faith. As the Bulwark author says, “I’m not sure how Democrats win over a voter who’s motivated not by unemployment, or the the Iranian nuclear program, or the price of eggs—but is rather lashing out because they’re angry that their children rejected their political views.”
We are firmly out of the realm of policy here. Or reality, even. So long as there is a trans activist in San Francisco posting on BlueSky, these people will be aggrieved. Even if their preferred political party holds the presidency, controls Congress, and has an openly corrupt majority in the Supreme Court. Domination of the political system is not enough; they want the people who disgust them to disappear.
And—this is the key—the moral revulsion the participants in the study exhibit overrides their commitments to democratic processes and the liberal order. If “democracy” produces anything they dislike, then they are ready to be done with democracy.
How do you “message” against that?
We can not change them. We must defeat them.
How do we message against that? Focus on the issues: education; universal healthcare; care for children, elderly, disabled; climate change, taxing the rich… everything Bernie Sanders has been talking about for decades.
That just seems exactly right to me. That’s why I am not particularly hopeful about your future. They _do_ understand my position (and yours); they just reject it. I’m part of the devil-worshipping danger they see all around them.
And I’m an atheist so it’s especially flummoxing to me. Not they believe atheists exist. Sigh.
well, ive been in this trench since i moved to NoDak. my first encounter was with the seeds of gordon kahl. i mean directly. my immediate neighbors. first line of defense, know who your neighbors are and what they,want….the tea party wasnt born yet. being im from the metro NY/NJ area and lived in southern calif most of the 70s. truckin jobs led me here to NOOOODAK.as you mostly know im not scared of engagement. i work hard core const now. and these guys are being further indortrinated by the out of staters who come here for the summer. most everyone here in this red area, never read any journalism beyond some you tube in your face stupid. this wasnt born overnite. and its getting worse.
Being a high school dropout with a GED, trying to fully understand the term “socialism”, I put several definition together and reached the simplest conclusion that…the opposition of “socialism” (whether Democratic, liberal or leftist) is that is the current Trump?MAGA administration and its destruction of the Constitution. Is SCOTUS the puppet of Trump or is Trump the puppet of SCOTUS? The Republican Senate and House are self-explained in their silence and their inaction. I am also sick to physical nausea with everything referred to by acronyms by all in the media and political party speeches. FA…figure that one out for yourselves!
Yesterday I sent another check to aid Democrats and then opened my E-mails to find over 100 political begging posts and SCAM sites to delete. Hell YES, ” Well, This is Depressing…”; it has now reached a deeply disgusting level as we are two days from what should be a proud celebration of July 4th. But the current ongoing fireworks by Trump have death tolls and he is increasing the physical destruction on White House grounds with another ego-fulfilling structure. Where does it end…or will WE be ended after 248 1/2 years of democracy, Rule of Law and upholding OUR Constitution?
“The article reports what it calls the “big takeaway: “14 out of 21 participants in this study had an immediate negative reaction when asked about democracy. Furthermore, the people in the study were remarkably consistent about why they dislike democracy, and it wasn’t because they were mistaken about what democracy is.”
The pitiful SCOTUS salvation of birthright citizenship refers only to Trump’s recent years of immigrant births. I am 89 years old and grew up with first generation Americans in post-World WarII years; they are now found in all levels of employment, including the current local and federal level government, and they can be targeted by Trump if he continues his fight to end birthright citizenship. Consider that as depressing.
Jack, some who read your post would say that this structured ignorance is done and promoted on purpose. We humans are still enthralled with the idea of being a power broker. Tyranny is about power.
As one of my most inspirational scientists and author, Rebecca Costa suggests: There are just too many humans living in way too complex societies for our brains to actually use the intellect to overcome the primitive, tribal imperatives. No kidding.
It just sounds like right wing propaganda has been completely effective and Democrats and even the word democracy has become toxic to some portion of the population.
Hey Vern, “There are just too many humans living in way too complex societies for our brains to actually use the intellect to overcome the primitive, tribal imperatives.” If USMCA isn’t extended by the end of today; where does that leave Alaska and Alaskans in “primitive, tribal imperatives”? Just a thought about being “Between a rock and a hard place” Is this a complexity or a conundrum? Makes me wonder if Sarah is still keeping an eye on Russia from her back porch.
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Ah yes, the tyranny of the majority is so powerful that Thomas Jefferson himself opined about it. It’s too bad nobody gave thought to the tyranny of the minority. After yesterday’s SCOTUS ruling, that seems to be the greater tyranny. What should have been a 9 – 0 slam dunk, was a 5.5 – 3.5 thriller. Every District and Circuit Court seems to have wondered if it wasn’t a joke. The Constitution itself gives explicit instructions on how to change it, and I don’t find anything in it that talks about Executive Orders.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof…” excludes some indigenous persons and those born to diplomatic, embassy, or consular staff. The use of the word “persons” is deliberate.
THINK.
VOTE!!!!
I recall a church service years ago where a prominent Methodist minister, from the pulpit in a Texas church, stating that communism is the most Christian form of governance ever devised. Although this was not in a red hot part of the state, there were plenty of republican firebrands in the audience. Then he went on to say that communism would never work because we are flawed human beings. The very idea of “each according to our needs” is an anathema to greed and selfishness – the wellspring of human nature. So, here we are. And, we got here because of a democratic process. Democracy is the best form of governance? How do you make everyone have a gentle compassionate nature – and have them vote for the best interest of society. Instead, we have democracy that creates a Gregg Abbott, Dan Patrick, Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, et al. I do not have a viable answer. Certainly not suggesting authoritarianism, fascism or a theocracy. I’m nearing the end of my tenure here – but I fear for my family and their future. American exceptionalism? Yeah, right!
That IS depressing! And scary!
Vern, the “structured ignorance” is, and has been done on purpose. Not necessarily for political purposes, but for religious ones. St. Augustine was reported to decry educating the populace, and the “moral revulsion” referenced in Sheila’s post is certainly based on religious tenets; that there is one trans activist, or, perhaps one gay person running around S.F., beggars their ability to understand the range of diversity among the human race; is probably chalked up to the machinations of their devil.
P.S.: If a majority of the country saw things their way, I’m sure they’d be very happy with majority rule.
You’re right, Mitch!
In Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, he discussed those among the oppressed who seek to take control so they can oppress others. That is almost a universal law.
And when JoAnn mentioned that she thinks “socialism is the opposite of Trump,” she nailed it!
That is Karl Marx’s theory. He thought that once capitalism produced bad results, the elite’s greed would lead them to hoard assets. At the stage of Trump and his oligarchic backers, we’ll go two ways: socialism or fascism.
As others allude to, that choice is made by the people. Either they take action, or fall to authoritarian rule.
You have to hand it to MAGA. Convincing some of the most privileged people in the world that they are victims.
The defensive mindset of Maga aggressively accepts unconstitutional means to promote their exclusive ways. They do have the freedom to roil in their exclusive bubbles, but they don’t have the right to obstruct justice and progress for the majority of Americans. Stacking the Supreme Court by knowing Republican Senators was misuse of power against democracy and the majority. The SC ruling in the Slaughter case that trump can fire anyone he wants to, in the Federal Government, sets back years of precedent that safeguarded decision making in vital areas for the American people. Trump’s going to smash a lot more with that power.
Since this scarily selfish minority is motivated by the fear of sharing resources with the majority, Democrats need to hammer home Trump’s outrageously flagrant corruption involving his cryptocurrency business and his other “holdings.” Just since his return to office he has personally enriched himself to the tune of 6.2 Billion dollars. That is his money now. Mostly from the UAE. But yet he uses tax payer dollars to “renovate.” DC and build his ballroom/bunker. Solicits contributions for his Freedom 250 bullshit, now possibly going to shake us down for his “golf course” in DC which will take 50 acres and decimate the cherry trees (of which DC if famous for) the walking biking trails and picnic areas. Maybe they will understand money they’re not getting the tax breaks the top 10% are getting.
“We can not change them. We must defeat them” is on the right track. But how?
This is all very alarming, but the real question is what to do about it.
According to a recent Pew study, 60% of the adults who are not registered to vote say that the reason they’re not registered is no one ever talked to them about it and asked them to register. Many of them will if you just reach out to them (after checking to see if they’re committed to democracy, of course).
Most of us reading this here are political junkies and know what the issues are , but a lot of people are fully busy living their lives, maybe working and raising kids, and just need a friend or family member to tell them how easy it is to vote in their self-interest. So who will you reach out to today?
A Brit here. Am curious to know if it will be possible for states to secede from the Union? I can see it happening if this continues.