KQED's Forum
How the ‘Diploma Divide’ Polarizes the U.S. Electorate
Dec 31, 2024
David Hopkins, an associate professor of political science at Boston College and co-author of "Polarized by Degrees," discusses the impactful "diploma divide" in American politics. He highlights how educational attainment drives voter preferences, with college graduates leaning Democratic while non-degree holders favor Republicans. Hopkins explores the cultural ramifications of this divide, its influence on issues like abortion and gender identity, and the growing skepticism towards expertise within conservative groups. He also shares insights on future electoral strategies.
57:43
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Quick takeaways
- The rising 'diploma divide' illustrates how educational attainment increasingly determines political alignment, with educated voters leaning Democratic and non-educated voters gravitating towards Republicans.
- Cultural values are becoming critical in elections as trust in institutions dwindles among less educated voters, shifting focus from economic issues to social debates.
Deep dives
The Diploma Divide as a Political Dynamic
The phenomenon known as the diploma divide is reshaping American politics, as evidenced by the contrasting shifts in voter alignment based on educational attainment. As voters with college degrees increasingly lean towards the Democratic Party, those without degrees are gravitating towards the Republican Party, altering traditional party loyalties across racial and ethnic lines. Recent electoral results indicate that this divide may even surpass traditional metrics, such as the gender gap, in significance when evaluating voter behavior. This emerging pattern emphasizes a broader societal shift where educational attainment is becoming a critical factor in political identity and choice.
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