

How Democrats Forgot To Be Normal, with Joan Williams
56 snips May 29, 2025
Joan Williams, a distinguished professor of law emerita at UC Law San Francisco and author of 'Outclassed', dives into the political disconnect between the Democrats and non-college educated voters. She discusses her viral essay explaining Trump’s appeal and introduces the concept of the 'diploma divide.' Williams argues that Democrats need to merge progressive values with economic messaging to reconnect with working-class voters, addressing the importance of class dynamics, shifting political coalitions, and battling identity politics.
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Class Culture Gap and 2016 Election
- The 2016 success of Donald Trump was deeply rooted in a growing class culture gap between college-educated elites and non-college white working class.
- The left’s failure to understand this gap and address economic concerns alienated many working-class voters.
Economic Populism Denial
- Economic populism is often denied as being about economics due to identity threat among elites.
- This denial prevents the Brahmin left from hearing the grievances of non-college voters who feel economically disenfranchised.
Economic Grievance and Trump Rhetoric
- Many working-class people feel economically ripped off due to stagnant wages despite rising productivity.
- Trump’s rhetoric like 'Stop the Steal' symbolized stealing their futures, not just elections, resonating deeply with these voters.