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The Ruffian

How Did Politics Get So Weird?

Dec 15, 2024
James Kanagasooriam, Chief Research Officer at Focal Data and a political analyst who coined 'Red Wall,' dives into the intriguing world of 'culturenomics.' He discusses how culture and economics are reshaping voter behavior, especially among young right-leaning voters. The conversation reveals the evolution of political allegiances influenced by events like Brexit and the 2008 crisis. Kanagasooriam also addresses demographic shifts in U.S. politics, implications of economic growth on sentiment, and the complexities of the trans debate in contemporary governance.
43:21

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Culturenomics intertwines cultural issues with economic concerns, reshaping voter behavior and challenging traditional political alignments since the early 1990s.
  • The emerging trend of younger voters prioritizing cultural values over party loyalty reflects a significant shift in modern political dynamics.

Deep dives

The Emergence of Culturenomics

Culturenomics is defined as the intersection of cultural issues and economic concerns in political discourse. This trend suggests that cultural issues, often sidelined as secondary, are now playing a pivotal role in influencing voter behavior alongside economic matters. Historical context indicates that this fusion began around 1992, marked by the rise of centrists who embraced similar policy packages across party lines, which laid the groundwork for today's complex political landscape. As voters increasingly confront issues of immigration, race, and identity alongside traditional economic concerns like wages and taxes, understanding culturenomics becomes crucial for comprehending the dynamics of modern democracies.

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