The Gist Pesca Plus Special: Arlie Hochschild
Jun 19, 2025
Arlie Hochschild, Professor Emerita at UC Berkeley and author, dives into the emotional landscape of Trump America. She examines how emotions like pride influence voting behavior and connects political identities to feelings of shame and belonging. Hochschild discusses the pride paradox, contrasting experiences in red and blue states, and highlights the importance of empathy in bridging political divides. Through personal anecdotes and academic insights, she reveals the role of emotional labor in shaping our interactions and understanding in a polarized society.
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The Right-Wing Deep Story
- Arlie Hochschild's 'deep story' reveals right-wing feelings of being patiently waiting in line as others cut ahead.
- Trump is seen as a "good bully" protecting them despite his flaws and lies.
Trump’s Anti-Shame Ritual
- Trump employs a four-part anti-shame ritual: transgression, being shamed, becoming victim, then railing against shamers.
- This ritual resonates emotionally with his supporters who feel shame and want relief.
The Pride Paradox
- Red state cultures blend downward economic mobility with individual pride that blames self for failure.
- Blue state cultures have more circumstantial pride, attributing failure less to personal fault.
