The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker - Paperback

Understanding Rural Political Consciousness in Modern America

Katherine J. Cramer's The Politics of Resentment examines Wisconsin's political landscape through the lens of rural consciousness, offering insights into how place-based identities shape political behavior. This political science analysis focuses on the factors that contributed to Scott Walker's electoral success and the broader implications for understanding American political divisions.

What This Book Covers

Since Scott Walker's election, Wisconsin became a focal point for debates about government's role following the Great Recession. Despite policies that appeared contrary to their economic interests, rural voters supported Walker through a contested recall and reelection. Cramer investigates this phenomenon by examining rural political consciousness and the resentment toward what many perceive as the "liberal elite." The book reveals that rural voters harbor distrust about whether politicians will respect their communities' distinct values or allocate resources fairly. What appears as disagreements over political principles actually stems from fundamental questions about identity and whether candidates' social identities align with voters' own.

Key Research Findings

Using Wisconsin's protracted debate about government's appropriate role as a case study, Cramer maps the contours of rural consciousness. The research demonstrates how place-based identities profoundly influence political understanding, independent of whether urban politicians actually shortchange or condescend to rural communities. This analysis shows that rural resentment functions as a major dividing force in American politics, comparable to partisanship, race, or class.