In 2023 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Professor Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University about her new book, with Lainey Newman, Rust Belt Union Blues Why Working-Class Voters Are Turning Away from the Democratic Party. Using Western Pennsylvania as a case study, their book examines the decline of labor unions and the shift of working-class voters away from the Democratic Party. We also discussed the appeal of Donald Trump to blue-collar voters and how unions might regain their previous role in American community life.

Contributor: Professor Theda Skocpol (Harvard University)

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Further resources

• Rust Belt Union Blues Why Working-Class Voters Are Turning Away from the Democratic Party

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This Extra Inning was produced by Chris Gilson and Anderson Tan. 

• Featured image credit: “Williamsport Alley” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gerry Dincher
• Note:  This podcast gives the views of the interviewee and host, and is not the position of USAPP – American Politics and Policy, the LSE Phelan US Centre, nor the London School of Economics.
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