

66 | Will Wilkinson on Partisan Polarization and the Urban/Rural Divide
Sep 30, 2019
Will Wilkinson, Vice President of Policy at the Niskanen Center and a keen analyst of political polarization, dives into the urban-rural divide that's reshaping American society. He discusses how urbanization influences political identities, the personality traits that relate to our preferences for these environments, and the economic implications of this divide. Wilkinson also reflects on challenges faced by rural communities and the GOP's evolving landscape in a polarized world. His insights weave a narrative about demographic shifts and their impact on cultural tensions.
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The Density Divide
- Population density strongly correlates with voting patterns: Denser areas lean Democrat, while less dense areas lean Republican.
- This density divide explains the increasing political polarization in the US and globally.
Urbanization's Impact
- Urbanization, the mass movement of people from rural to urban areas, is a major force shaping modern society.
- This migration significantly impacts political and social dynamics.
Homophily and Segregation
- People exhibit homophily, a preference for being around similar individuals.
- Even weak homophily can lead to significant segregation.