

News Brief: Trump's Hollow Working Class Aesthetics and How Unions Can Lead a Real Resistance
33 snips Mar 19, 2025
Eric Blanc, an assistant professor of labor studies at Rutgers University and expert in labor movements, dives into the importance of unions in today's political landscape. He critiques the hollow populism of figures like Trump and Musk while advocating for a robust labor movement as a counterforce. Blanc highlights the need for increased union density to tackle inequality and discusses innovative strategies that empower the working class. The conversation also addresses the rising approval of unions, particularly among younger generations, as a means for real social change.
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Union Density vs. Inequality
- Union density and inequality are inversely correlated: higher union membership, lower inequality.
- Unions are crucial for worker leverage against corporate elites, offering a path to address societal crises.
Trump's Aesthetic Appeal
- Despite lacking substantive pro-worker policies, Trump effectively appeals to working-class voters through aesthetics and rhetoric.
- This resonates because Democrats have largely ignored the working class, focusing instead on elite interests.
Democrats' Neglect
- The Democratic Party's decades-long neglect of the working class created a vacuum for Trump's appeal.
- While superficial, Trump's aesthetic acknowledgment of the working class contrasts with Democrats' open embrace of elites.