The Ballpark | Extra Innings: Rust Belt Union Blues with Professor Theda Skocpol

LSE Podcasts

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. This Extra Inning was produced by Chris Gilson and Anderson Tan. Contributors: Theda Skocpol (Harvard University)