The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America
- Agriculture and Rural Policy Studies
- Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Department of Economics
- Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)
- University Library
- Pat Miller Memorial Lecture Fund
- George Gund Lectures Fund
This lecture will be based on the eponymous book that pinpoints forces behind the rise of the “rural voter”—a new political identity that combines a deeply felt sense of place with an increasingly nationalized set of concerns. Combining a historical perspective with the largest-ever national survey of rural voters, Nicholas F. Jacobs and Daniel M. Shea uncover how this overwhelmingly crucial voting bloc emerged and how it has roiled American politics. They show how perceptions of economic and social change, racial anxieties, and a traditional way of life under assault have converged into a belief in rural uniqueness and separateness.
Nicholas F. Jacobs is an expert on American politics and policymaking. He has published dozens of scholarly articles and book chapters on topics including the American presidency, school segregation, and economic inequality. He is an assistant professor at Colby College in Maine.
Daniel M. Shea is professor of government at Colby College. His areas of expertise include American politics, young voters, civility in politics, and rural governance and politics. He has written or edited more than 20 books, including Why Vote? Essential Questions About the Future of Elections in America (2019).
The University Book Store will be onsite selling The Rural Voter at the event.
This lecture is available to view on the Available Recordings page.