The Biggest Political Divide Is Not Left vs. Right
Digest
This episode of the Ezra Klein Show delves into the "other divide" in American politics: the gap between those deeply involved in politics and those who are disengaged. The show features an interview with Yana Kropnikov, a professor of communication and media at the University of Michigan, who co-authored "The Other Divide: Polarization and Disengagement in American Politics." Kropnikov explains that while deeply involved individuals make up a minority of the population, they dominate political discourse, creating a distorted perception of political engagement. This, in turn, can lead to disengagement among those who feel they cannot match the intensity of the deeply involved. The episode explores the voting patterns of disengaged voters, highlighting their tendency to favor Donald Trump, particularly in years with high inflation. Kropnikov attributes this trend to a combination of factors, including a fragmented media landscape, a growing anti-establishment sentiment, and a disconnect between the lived experiences of disengaged voters and the narratives presented by mainstream media. The episode concludes with a discussion of the challenges Democrats face in reaching disengaged voters, particularly in light of the increasing influence of alternative media platforms and the prevalence of political cynicism.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the Ezra Klein Show and the topic of the episode: the divide between politically engaged and disengaged voters.
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The Other Divide: Political Involvement and Disengagement
This Chapter features an interview with Yana Kropnikov, a professor of communication and media at the University of Michigan, who discusses her research on the divide between politically involved and disengaged voters. She explains that deeply involved individuals, while a minority, dominate political discourse, creating a distorted perception of political engagement. This can lead to disengagement among those who feel they cannot match the intensity of the deeply involved.
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The Uninvolved Vote: Patterns and Drivers
This Chapter explores the voting patterns of disengaged voters, highlighting their tendency to favor Donald Trump, particularly in years with high inflation. Kropnikov attributes this trend to a combination of factors, including a fragmented media landscape, a growing anti-establishment sentiment, and a disconnect between the lived experiences of disengaged voters and the narratives presented by mainstream media.
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Biden's Troubles in 2024: The Role of Disengaged Voters
This Chapter discusses the implications of the disengaged voter trend for the 2024 election, suggesting that Biden's struggles may be linked to his inability to connect with this group, who are more concerned with economic issues than with political narratives.
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The Impact of Trump's Conviction on Disengaged Voters
This Chapter examines the impact of Trump's conviction on disengaged voters, noting that the conviction has not significantly shifted their voting intentions. Kropnikov attributes this to a combination of factors, including a lack of new information, cynicism about the justice system, and a general disinterest in politics.
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Reaching Disengaged Voters: Challenges and Strategies
This Chapter explores the challenges Democrats face in reaching disengaged voters, highlighting the influence of alternative media platforms and the prevalence of political cynicism. Kropnikov suggests that Democrats need to focus on addressing the economic concerns of disengaged voters, rather than solely relying on political arguments.
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The Future of Disengaged Voters in the 2024 Election
This Chapter discusses the potential for disengaged voters to become more involved in the 2024 election, particularly as the election draws closer and the possibility of a Trump presidency becomes more real. Kropnikov acknowledges the possibility of a shift in voting intentions, but also highlights the challenges of predicting voter behavior and the potential for disengaged voters to remain disengaged.
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Book Recommendations
This Chapter concludes the episode with Yana Kropnikov recommending three books that offer insights into the dynamics of political communication and the challenges of reaching disengaged voters.
Keywords
Political Disengagement
The state of being uninvolved or uninterested in politics, often characterized by a lack of participation in political activities, such as voting, campaigning, or following political news.
Donald Trump
The 45th President of the United States, known for his controversial policies and rhetoric, and his continued influence on American politics.
Joe Biden
The 46th President of the United States, known for his moderate political views and his focus on addressing economic issues.
Inflation
A general increase in prices for goods and services in an economy, often leading to a decrease in purchasing power.
Alternative Media
Media outlets that operate outside of traditional mainstream media, often characterized by a focus on alternative perspectives and a distrust of established institutions.
Political Cynicism
A belief that politicians are corrupt, self-serving, and incapable of enacting meaningful change, often leading to a sense of apathy and disengagement from politics.
Parasocial Relationships
One-sided relationships that individuals form with celebrities, media personalities, or other public figures, often characterized by a sense of intimacy and connection despite the lack of reciprocity.
The Other Divide
A book by Yana Kropnikov and John Barry Ryan that explores the divide between politically involved and disengaged voters in American politics.
Ezra Klein Show
A popular political podcast hosted by Ezra Klein, known for its in-depth discussions of current events and political issues.
2024 Election
The upcoming presidential election in the United States, scheduled for November 2024.
Q&A
What is the "other divide" in American politics, and how does it differ from the traditional left-right divide?
The "other divide" refers to the gap between those deeply involved in politics and those who are disengaged. Unlike the left-right divide, which focuses on ideological differences, this divide centers on the level of engagement and interest in politics.
Why are disengaged voters increasingly important in elections, and how do their voting patterns differ from those of politically engaged voters?
Disengaged voters are becoming more important because they are increasingly likely to vote, particularly in years with high inflation. They tend to favor Donald Trump, who often appeals to their economic concerns and anti-establishment sentiment.
What are some of the challenges Democrats face in reaching disengaged voters, and what strategies might they employ to connect with this group?
Democrats face challenges in reaching disengaged voters due to their distrust of mainstream media, their focus on economic issues, and their susceptibility to alternative media narratives. Democrats need to address these concerns by focusing on economic policies that benefit disengaged voters and by engaging with them on platforms they use, such as social media and alternative media outlets.
How has the media landscape changed, and how has this change impacted the level of political engagement among voters?
The media landscape has become increasingly fragmented, with a proliferation of alternative media outlets and social media platforms. This has created a greater opportunity for voters to choose their own information sources, leading to both increased political engagement among those who seek out political news and increased disengagement among those who avoid it.
What role does political cynicism play in the disengagement of voters, and how can politicians address this issue?
Political cynicism, the belief that politicians are corrupt and self-serving, can contribute to voter disengagement. Politicians can address this by demonstrating integrity, transparency, and a commitment to serving the public interest.
How do parasocial relationships with influencers impact political attitudes and engagement?
Parasocial relationships with influencers can have a significant impact on political attitudes and engagement, as individuals are more likely to be influenced by the opinions of those they perceive as friends or trusted sources. This makes it challenging for politicians to reach disengaged voters who rely on influencers for their political information.
What are some of the key takeaways from Yana Kropnikov's research on the "other divide"?
Kropnikov's research highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of political engagement and disengagement, particularly in a fragmented media landscape. She emphasizes the need for politicians to connect with disengaged voters by addressing their economic concerns and by engaging with them on platforms they use.
What are some of the key challenges and opportunities for politicians in the 2024 election, given the trends in voter engagement and disengagement?
Politicians in the 2024 election face the challenge of reaching disengaged voters, who are increasingly important in elections. They have the opportunity to connect with this group by addressing their economic concerns and by engaging with them on platforms they use. However, they also face the challenge of overcoming political cynicism and the influence of alternative media narratives.
What are some of the key factors that influence voter turnout, and how can politicians encourage greater participation in elections?
Voter turnout is influenced by a variety of factors, including political interest, civic duty, and the perceived importance of the election. Politicians can encourage greater participation by making voting more accessible, by promoting civic education, and by highlighting the importance of every vote.
What are some of the key challenges and opportunities for political communication in the digital age?
Political communication in the digital age faces challenges such as the spread of misinformation, the fragmentation of media, and the influence of social media algorithms. However, it also presents opportunities for politicians to connect with voters directly, to tailor their messages to specific audiences, and to engage in more interactive forms of communication.
Show Notes
The biggest divide in our politics isn’t between Democrats and Republicans, or even left and right. It’s between people who follow politics closely, and those who pay almost no attention to it. If you’re in the former camp — and if you’re reading this, you probably are — the latter camp can seem inscrutable. These people hardly ever look at political news. They hate discussing politics. But they do care about issues and candidates, and they often vote.
As the 2024 election takes shape, this bloc appears crucial to determining who wins the presidency. An NBC News poll from April found that 15 percent of voters don’t follow political news, and Donald Trump was winning them by 26 points.
Yanna Krupnikov studies exactly this kind of voter. She’s a professor of communication and media at the University of Michigan and an author, with John Barry Ryan, of “The Other Divide: Polarization and Disengagement in American Politics.” The book examines how the chasm between the deeply involved and the less involved shapes politics in America. I’ve found it to be a helpful guide for understanding one of the most crucial dynamics emerging in this year’s election: the swing to Trump from President Biden among disengaged voters.
In this conversation, we discuss how politically disengaged voters relate to politics; where they get their information about politics and how they form opinions; and whether major news events, like Trump’s recent conviction, might sway them.
Mentioned:
“The ‘Need for Chaos’ and Motivations to Share Hostile Political Rumors” by Michael Bang Petersen, Mathias Osmundsen and Kevin Arceneaux
Hooked by Markus Prior
“The Political Influence of Lifestyle Influencers? Examining the Relationship Between Aspirational Social Media Use and Anti-Expert Attitudes and Beliefs” by Ariel Hasell and Sedona Chinn
“One explanation for the 2024 election’s biggest mystery” by Eric Levitz
Book Recommendations:
What Goes Without Saying by Taylor N. Carlson and Jaime E. Settle
Through the Grapevine by Taylor N. Carlson
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Efim Shapiro and Aman Sahota. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Sonia Herrero.