About this episode

Suzanne Mettler discusses the historical and economic factors contributing to the rural-urban political divide in America.

Buckle in, folks, because Suzanne Mettler brings deep insights on the rural-urban political divide — and it’s more about history, economics, and institutions than you might think. If you’ve ever wondered why rural voters often vote Republican, despite Democratic policies benefiting them, or how to start healing this fractured relationship, this episode is for you. In this episode: Suzanne explains how the rural-urban political split is a recent phenomenon that gained momentum in the 1990s. She breaks down the historical importance of the New Deal in shaping rural loyalty to Democrats, and why that loyalty has eroded. We explore how economic shifts, job losses, and feelings of abandonment have driven rural voters into the arms of the GOP. Heidi, Joel, and Suzanne discuss the role of shared culture, common values, and the lack of trusted institutions in reconciling the divide. Insights on how Democrats can rebuild trust, emphasizing listening, local organizing, and respectful dialogue. Whether you're a curious rural voter, a political junkie,, or just here for the engaging conversation, this episode unravels the complexities of the rural-urban divide with the precision of Suzanne's…

People in this episode

Host: The One Country Project

Guest: Suzanne Mettler

Topics covered

• rural-urban divide
• political loyalty
• New Deal
• economic shifts
• trust in institutions

Keywords

• rural voters
• Republican
• Democratic policies
• political landscape
• economic challenges

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Princeton University Press

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