The Next Big Idea Daily
The Urban-Rural Divide Is Smaller Than You Think
Nov 21, 2024
Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, a public policy professor at USC and author of "The Overlooked Americans," shares insights from her extensive research on small-town America. She debunks myths about the political beliefs of rural citizens, revealing a surprising alignment with urban values on equality and government support. Currid-Halkett emphasizes the diverse identities within rural communities and highlights the economic opportunities often ignored by mainstream narratives. Her perspective invites a deeper understanding of the rural-urban divide.
09:40
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Quick takeaways
- Rural Americans share many progressive values with urban dwellers, including support for democracy and equality, contradicting common stereotypes.
- The political views of rural Americans often stem from cultural identity and a desire for respect, rather than economic despair.
Deep dives
Misconceptions About Rural Americans
Rural Americans are often mischaracterized as intolerant and backward, but research shows they share many values with urban counterparts, including support for democracy, equality, and environmental issues. Data from the General Social Survey indicates that rural residents are not only as supportive of social policies for uplifting marginalized communities, but in some cases, display even greater support than urban dwellers. For instance, a higher percentage of rural Americans with a bachelor's degree agree on government support for the Black community compared to their urban peers. This challenges the stereotype that rural Americans are inherently conservative and highlights their shared ideals on various social issues.
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