November 9th 2024.
The current political landscape has shifted dramatically, marking the beginning of a new era. For the past several decades, we have been living in the information age, where the educated elite held the belief that they were the key players in building the postindustrial economy. Policies were tailored to meet their needs, pushing society towards higher education and neglecting vocational training. Free trade policies also favored the knowledge economy, resulting in the decline of manufacturing jobs and the rise of the financial and consulting sector.
Geography became irrelevant as capital and high-skill labor gravitated towards cities like Austin, San Francisco, and Washington, leaving behind smaller communities. Immigration policies also contributed to the divide, with highly educated individuals gaining access to low-wage labor while less-skilled workers faced tough competition. The focus on green technologies and the neglect of industries dependent on fossil fuels further exacerbated the segregation.
This segregation system led to a loss of respect for those who did not fit into the educated class. The academic ladder was glorified, and those who did not climb it were rendered invisible. This was particularly hard on boys, as statistics show that they were falling behind in education and facing lifelong consequences. The diploma divide became the most significant chasm in American society, with high school graduates experiencing shorter lifespans, higher rates of substance abuse, and lower levels of social engagement.
The lack of recognition and opportunities for the working class led to a sense of betrayal and loss of trust towards the educated elite. This divide was especially evident in the 2016 presidential election, where Donald Trump tapped into the resentment and class animosity felt by rural Americans towards the Manhattan elites. His message was simple: the educated class had betrayed them, and they were also incompetent.
In 2024, Trump succeeded in building a multiracial, working-class majority, winning over Black and Hispanic voters in places like New Jersey, the Bronx, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. The Democratic Party was left to rethink their strategies, realizing that there is no economic solution to the crisis of respect felt by the working class. Some may argue that Trump's victory was due to the inherent racism, sexism, and authoritarianism of the American people, but this is a narrow and defeatist view.
The rest of us need to be humble and open to learning from the American voters. As a moderate, I have always believed that Democratic candidates should run towards the center, but the 2024 election has proven otherwise. Perhaps the party needs to embrace a more disruptive approach, similar to Bernie Sanders' style, to appeal to the working class. Can the Democratic Party, known for its affiliation with universities, affluent suburbs, and hipster urban cores, do this? Trump was able to hijack a corporate party and appeal to the working class, which is a humbling realization for those who have looked down on him.
We are now entering a period of chaos, with Trump sowing disorder rather than fascism. The future is uncertain, and we can expect to face challenges and turbulence, but this also presents an opportunity to create a new society and respond to the political, economic, and psychological assault we have witnessed. These are indeed trying times, but they will reveal what we are truly made of.
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