How the Diploma Divide Took Over Our Politics
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This podcast episode delves into the "Diploma Divide," a growing gap in political views and voting patterns between Americans with and without a college degree. The authors, Matt Grossman and David Hopkins, argue that this divide is the most significant factor driving the realignment of American politics. They discuss how the increasing number of college-educated voters has shifted the Democratic Party leftward, while the Republican Party has struggled to adapt. The episode examines the historical and social factors that have contributed to this divide, including the cultural and social changes of the 1960s, such as the rise of feminism, globalization, and technological advancements. The authors explore the political implications of the diploma divide, examining how it manifests in voting patterns and the policy positions of both parties. They discuss the growing polarization between college-educated and non-college-educated voters, and how this divide is impacting the political landscape. The episode also examines the potential future of the diploma divide, considering whether it will continue to be a defining factor in American politics. The authors discuss the challenges facing the Democratic Party in maintaining its appeal to non-college-educated voters, and the potential for the divide to extend to minority voters. The podcast explores the motivations behind the cultural divide, examining why social issues have become such a dominant force in American politics. The authors discuss the role of activists, donors, and politicians in perpetuating the culture war, and how it has become a source of engagement and identity for many voters. The episode examines the policy consequences of the diploma divide, considering how it is shaping the policy debates and priorities of both parties. The authors discuss the growing conflict over the role of experts in policymaking, and how the divide is leading to greater polarization on issues such as climate change, higher education, and immigration. The podcast explores the potential future of economic policy in light of the diploma divide. The authors discuss whether the divide will lead to a depolarization of economic policy, or whether the parties will continue to prioritize social and cultural issues. They also examine the potential for the divide to extend to minority voters, which could have significant implications for the Democratic Party.
Outlines
The Diploma Divide: How Education is Reshaping American Politics
This podcast episode explores the book "Polarized by Degrees," which argues that educational attainment is the most significant factor driving the realignment of American politics. The authors, Matt Grossman and David Hopkins, discuss how the increasing number of college-educated voters has shifted the Democratic Party leftward, while the Republican Party has struggled to adapt.
The Political Implications of the Diploma Divide
The episode delves into the political implications of the diploma divide, examining how it manifests in voting patterns and the policy positions of both parties. The authors discuss the growing polarization between college-educated and non-college-educated voters, and how this divide is impacting the political landscape.
The Roots of the Diploma Divide
The episode explores the historical and social factors that have contributed to the diploma divide. The authors argue that the cultural and social changes of the 1960s, including the rise of feminism, globalization, and technological advancements, have played a significant role in shaping the current political landscape.
The Future of the Diploma Divide
The episode examines the potential future of the diploma divide, considering whether it will continue to be a defining factor in American politics. The authors discuss the challenges facing the Democratic Party in maintaining its appeal to non-college-educated voters, and the potential for the divide to extend to minority voters.
The Motivations Behind the Cultural Divide and Policy Consequences
The episode explores the motivations behind the cultural divide, examining why social issues have become such a dominant force in American politics. The authors discuss the role of activists, donors, and politicians in perpetuating the culture war, and how it has become a source of engagement and identity for many voters. The episode also examines the policy consequences of the diploma divide, considering how it is shaping the policy debates and priorities of both parties. The authors discuss the growing conflict over the role of experts in policymaking, and how the divide is leading to greater polarization on issues such as climate change, higher education, and immigration.
Keywords
Diploma Divide
The growing gap in political views and voting patterns between Americans with and without a college degree. This divide reflects a broader cultural and social shift, with college-educated voters tending towards liberal positions on social issues and non-college-educated voters leaning towards conservative views.
Culture War
A term used to describe the ongoing conflict between liberal and conservative values in American society. This conflict often centers on issues such as abortion, gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration, and has become increasingly polarized along educational lines.
Technocracy
A form of government in which experts and specialists hold significant power and influence in policymaking. The authors argue that the Democratic Party is increasingly embracing a technocratic approach, relying on the expertise of college-educated professionals to guide policy decisions.
Social Polarization
The increasing tendency for people to live in social networks and communities where they primarily interact with those who share their political views. The authors argue that the diploma divide is contributing to social polarization, as people with similar educational backgrounds tend to cluster together.
Conservative Populism
A political ideology that combines conservative social values with populist economic policies. This ideology has gained traction in many countries, including the United States, and is often characterized by a rejection of elite institutions and a focus on national identity.
Post-World War II Consensus
The period following World War II, characterized by a relative consensus on social and economic policies in the United States. This consensus began to erode in the 1960s, as social and cultural changes led to greater polarization and conflict.
Q&A
How has the diploma divide impacted the political landscape in the United States?
The diploma divide has led to a significant realignment of American politics, with the Democratic Party increasingly representing college-educated voters and the Republican Party struggling to maintain its appeal to non-college-educated voters. This divide has also contributed to greater polarization on social and cultural issues.
What are the historical and social factors that have contributed to the diploma divide?
The authors argue that the cultural and social changes of the 1960s, including the rise of feminism, globalization, and technological advancements, have played a significant role in shaping the current political landscape. These changes have led to a growing divide between those who have embraced these changes and those who have resisted them.
What are the potential policy consequences of the diploma divide?
The diploma divide is likely to lead to greater polarization on issues such as climate change, higher education, and immigration. The authors argue that the conflict over the role of experts in policymaking will become increasingly prominent, with the Democratic Party embracing technocratic solutions and the Republican Party expressing skepticism towards expert opinion.
What are the motivations behind the cultural divide in American politics?
The authors argue that the culture war is driven by a combination of factors, including the influence of activists and donors, the desire for political engagement, and the ease with which social issues can be debated in a digital and social media environment. They also suggest that the culture war has become a source of identity and meaning for many voters.
What are the challenges facing the Democratic Party in maintaining its appeal to non-college-educated voters?
The Democratic Party faces the challenge of balancing the needs of its college-educated base with the concerns of non-college-educated voters. The authors argue that the party's embrace of technocratic solutions and its focus on social and cultural issues may alienate some non-college-educated voters.
Show Notes
For decades, Republicans were thought of as the country club set, while Democrats were the party of the working class. But increasingly, education has become a larger dividing line in American politics than economic status. This trend has seen college-educated voters move toward the Democratic Party and non-college-educated voters shift toward Republicans.
In this installment of the 538 Politics podcast, Galen speaks with Matt Grossmann and David Hopkins, authors of "Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics." They explore how this educational divide is reshaping not just electoral outcomes, but the way each party approaches governance and policy.
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