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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insights INSIGHT
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.
insights INSIGHT
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.
insights INSIGHT
Homophily and Segregation
People exhibit homophily, a preference for being around similar individuals.
Even weak homophily can lead to significant segregation.
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In 'Micromotives and Macrobehavior', Thomas C. Schelling examines how small, seemingly insignificant decisions by individuals can result in substantial unintended consequences for larger groups. The book is notable for its analysis of social phenomena like segregation and tipping points, making it a foundational text in economics and sociology.
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)
Carol Tavris
Elliot Aronson
This book by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson delves into the psychological mechanisms behind self-justification, using anecdotal, historical, and scientific evidence. It explains how cognitive dissonance leads people to create fictions that absolve them of responsibility, restoring their belief in their own morality and intelligence. The authors discuss various examples, including political decisions, marital conflicts, and medical errors, to illustrate how self-justification can lead to harmful consequences. The updated edition includes new examples and an extended discussion on how to live with dissonance, learn from it, and potentially forgive oneself.
The idea of “red states” and “blue states” burst on the scene during the 2000 U.S. Presidential elections, and has a been a staple of political commentary ever since. But it’s become increasingly clear, and increasingly the case, that the real division isn’t between different sets of states, but between densely- and sparsely-populated areas. Cities are blue (liberal), suburbs and the countryside are red (conservative). Why did that happen? How does it depend on demographics, economics, and the personality types of individuals? I talk with policy analyst Will Wilkinson about where this division came from, and what it means for the future of the country and the world.
Will Wilkinson received an M.A. in philosophy from Northern Illinois University, and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Houston. He has worked for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and as a research fellow at the Cato Institute, and is currently Vice President of Policy at the Niskanen Center. He has taught at Howard University, the University of Maryland, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He has written for a wide variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Economist, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Vox, and The Boston Review, as well as being a regular commentator for Marketplace on public radio.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 
