The politics of humiliation

 According to Thomas L. Friedman, much of Trump support is a result of his followers feeling humiliated and demanding dignity.  Friedman quotes political philosopher Michael Sandel:  “Trump was elected by tapping a well-spring of anxieties, frustrations and legitimate grievances to which the mainstream parties had no compelling answer.”  These grievances are “not only economic but also moral and cultural; they are not only about wages and jobs but also about social esteem.”

The idea is that if you go to college and work hard, you will rise, but if you don’t go to college you aren’t very much.  According to this analysis, many of the Trump voters (two thirds of white voters without a college degree voted for Trump) felt that liberal elites were looking down on them.

I have no doubt that this analysis is correct in large part.  Thus it doesn’t matter what Trump’s policies are, but rather that he sticks it to experts and scientists and college grads.  His treatment of science in the pandemic, his disdain for global warming, his trusting his “gut,” his appointment of unqualified people all speak to this.  

Personally, I do not think I look down on people who don’t have college degrees.  My dad quit school in the eighth grade, and I worked in an auto parts warehouse for years while I taught.  I was a goddam Teamster, for heaven’s sake.

On the other hand, as I explained in last night’s post, I do look down on people who voted for Trump.  If they voted for Trump because they felt humiliated, they picked the wrong guy.  Look at his opinion of American soldiers–losers and suckers.  Look at how he has contempt for the people who rent his apartments, cook his meals, or die from his mishandling of the pandemic.  Look how he wants to surround himself with rich people, and how he cringes when the common people get too close.  You don’t need a college education to see that.  You need to open your eyes.

Friedman’s column is in today’s Times, p. A26.