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Economic Populism: A Necessary Debate for Democrats
Economic populism has finally gained attention, especially during election post-mortems. For example, Kamala Harris’s recent electoral defeat was attributed to her inability to address the economic anxieties and frustrations of Americans. Donald Trump, with his brand of populism, performed notably well among working-class voters, particularly Latinos.
The Case for Economic Populism
Evidence suggests a stronger focus on economic populism could have benefited the Democrats. Our collaboration with the Center for Working-Class Politics (CWCP) highlights that candidates championing economic populism often achieve better election results. For instance, our survey of Pennsylvania voters revealed that populist messaging was Harris’s most effective strategy to gain working-class support.
Yet, several within the Democratic fold, including John Halpin, argue that economic populism, though crucial, isn’t enough for building a multiracial working-class coalition. Ruy Teixeira even labels it the “Opiate” of the Democrats. He warns against the magical thinking that swivel only towards economic issues would dissolve Democrats’ cultural liabilities. "Culture matters—a lot," he asserts.
The Cultural Dimension of Populism
A genuine populism should encompass both economic and cultural critiques. Many working-class voters hold deep-seated resentment towards elites perceived as dictating their lives. Jared Golden, a Democrat triumphant in a Trump-won district, reflects voters’ views towards cultural elites speaking down to them.
Indeed, anger towards cultural elites often parallels displeasure with economic elites. The Democratic coalition has become wealthier and more educated over time, further driving a wedge between liberal elites and working-class voters. As the preferences of liberal elites proliferate in media, academia, and politics, they often diverge from working-class values.
Reevaluating Party Strategy
Populism from the Left should challenge cultural elitism within the Democratic ranks. Democrats should jest at tech billionaires prioritized over job resurgences and confront elitism that alienates working-class voters. Democrats must recognize the grievances among working-class voters who feel ignored as elites prosper.
Democrats’ reputation with voters is marred by cultural dissonance. Working-class voters often hold more conservative views on issues such as immigration and social policies. This divergence calls for Democrats to reshape their cultural approach and foster inclusive conversations addressing working-class concerns without alienating them.
| Issue Area | Working-Class Conservative Views compared to Middle-Class |
|---|---|
| Immigration | More conservative |
| Social Issues | More conservative |
Progressives and Populism
Democrats rarely resonate with the working-class on a genuinely visceral level. For instance, Tim Walz spoke about unions and corporate greed but failed to acknowledge workers’ sense of being forgotten and betrayed. Typically, Democrats struggle with aligning their rhetoric to genuinely appeal to working-class frustrations. They sometimes echo "opportunity economy" ideals, but these don’t always resonate with the realities faced by the working-class.
Many argue that progressive policies lack popularity among the working-class. However, surveys indicate sturdy support for policies like lowering drug prices and imposing higher taxes on the wealthy.
| Policy | Working-Class Support |
|---|---|
| Lower Drug Prices | 87.9% |
| Increasing Rich Taxation | 67.9% |
| Raising Minimum Wage | 70.5% |
Despite some disagreement about the centrality of economic issues, evidence supports strong working-class backing for populist initiatives. Nevertheless, to gain trust, Democrats need to emphasize economic propositions without patronising cultural perspectives, and avoid shifting between populist rhetoric and elite radicalism.
Future Directions
Ultimately, Democrats will need to deliver substantial improvements in the livelihoods of working people. Small-scale policy reforms, from the Affordable Care Act to the Inflation Reduction Act, might be inadequately ambitious to restore trust among working-class voters. A comprehensive reform package akin to the New Deal is essential for overcoming the setbacks of economic stagnation. Moreover, Democrats must craft a coherent narrative explaining past failures and why their future policies will be different. This necessitates a focus on class, emphasizing who steers economic priorities and in whose interest.
The story of reclaiming the working-class vote is intrinsically a populist narrative—one that champions their voices and priorities. However, very few Democratic candidates appear willing to narrate it genuinely and compellingly.
