KQED's Forum Can the Left Win Back Working-Class Voters?
Jun 18, 2025
Joan C. Williams, a distinguished law professor emerita from UC Law San Francisco, explores the widening cultural and political divide between the left and working-class voters. She argues that the left's failure to connect stems from a lack of understanding of the working-class identity, exacerbated by economic instability. The conversation delves into how messaging can bridge this divide, the rise of far-right appeal, and the importance of inclusive communication strategies. Williams emphasizes authentic engagement and aligning policies with the concerns of these voters.
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Diploma Divide Drives Politics
- The key political divide today is the diploma divide between college graduates and non-college voters.
- This divide shapes voting patterns and fuels far-right populism more than traditional class or regional divides.
Democrats Shifted Priorities Since 1970
- Since around 1970, Democrats shifted focus from blue-collar men's issues to cultural and social justice issues.
- This shift created a growing political distance from working-class voters.
Elites Fuel Culture Wars
- Economic elites forged cultural alliances with the working-class to divert anger from economic inequality.
- The resulting culture wars pit middle-class voters against elites, fueling far-right populism.