In this special episode of Deep Dive on this Trump Inauguration Day, we revisit the final episode of our limited series "After America" and ask - how does a nation rebuild itself after falling under authoritarian rule? In the series finale of After America, we take you through the harrowing aftermath of an imagined Trump's second presidential term, where democratic institutions were eroded, civil liberties dismantled, and marginalized communities oppressed. We examine the monumental task of transitioning back to democracy and preventing future authoritarian takeovers.

We imagine how this era of expanded executive control would eventually collapse under its own corruption and the public’s rising discontent. And, we shed light on how transitional justice mechanisms, such as truth commissions and criminal trials, can pave the way for a reconciled and democratic future.

But history has its lessons, and so we remember the failures of post-Civil War America, where the lack of transitional justice led to systemic racism and political polarization we're still grappling with today. So, we discuss the necessity of truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reforms to transitional justice and the establishment of an enduring and healthy democracy. And, we close by emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive efforts to safeguard democracy against erosion, underscoring the need for systemic reforms and citizen engagement to ensure a resilient democratic future.

Guests: Dr. David Faris, Dr. Monika Nalepa, Dr. Alastair Smith, and Stephen Marche.

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In this episode of Deep Dive, we examine the growing educational divide driving polarization in American politics and its implications for democracy. Dr. David Hopkins, co-author of the book Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics, joins the pod to explain how college attainment correlates with political alignment and explores cultural factors contributing to this complex landscape. We dig into:

• how the diploma divide influences voter behavior and party affiliation;
• if/how higher education shapes cultural and political identities;
• how populism connects with working-class cultural concerns;
• the fact that urban areas lean Democratic; rural areas gravitate towards
Republicans;
• the perceived liberal bias in academia fuels skepticism among conservatives;
and
• how/why dialogue and empathy are vital for bridging educational divides.

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Lainey Newman, co-author of Rust Belt Union Blues, joins the pod to shed light on how deindustrialization and globalization have weakened organized labor, particularly in regions like the Rust Belt. We discuss how these changes have left a void filled by conservative organizations and cultural movements, leading to a significant realignment of working-class voters towards the Republican Party.

Lainey traces the peak of union influence in the 1950s to its gradual decline from the 1970s onward. We discuss the evolving relationship between unions and political parties, examining how cultural and identity-based issues have impacted voting behaviors and party alignments. From the friction within the Democratic Party's coalition over cultural issues to the unintended consequences of political strategies - were these dynamics inevitable or could have been foreseen and mitigated?

From the fallout of not bailing out the steel industry in the 1970s to the perceived cultural and ideological challenges associated with figures like Kamala Harris, we discuss the long-term implications of these decisions on union and working class voters, and what the Democratic Party needs to do to win these voters back.

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Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com

Music:
Majestic Earth - Joystock