Katherine Cramer, Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was one of the first to emphasize the importance of the urban-rural divide in American politics. Through careful observation of how ordinary people discuss social issues, she identified a significant gap in the worldviews of urban and rural populations, underscoring the decisive role that resentment plays in these differences.
In her acclaimed book The Politics of Resentment (2016), Cramer uncovered that what may seem like routine political disagreements are often rooted in deeper issues: questions of who gets what, who holds power, how people are perceived, and who is ultimately blamed for societal problems. She found that the urban-rural divide is fundamentally driven by animosity toward others and that the boundaries people draw between 'us' and 'them' frequently align with actual geographic borders.
Katherine Cramer’s research on the power of resentment has garnered significant attention. It has been used by scholars attempting to explain the differences between urban and rural voters far beyond the borders of the United States.
The Center for Local Government Studies is pleased to present an open seminar on August 27, where Katherine Cramer will discuss her research and reflect on the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
In her acclaimed book The Politics of Resentment (2016), Cramer uncovered that what may seem like routine political disagreements are often rooted in deeper issues: questions of who gets what, who holds power, how people are perceived, and who is ultimately blamed for societal problems. She found that the urban-rural divide is fundamentally driven by animosity toward others and that the boundaries people draw between 'us' and 'them' frequently align with actual geographic borders.
Katherine Cramer’s research on the power of resentment has garnered significant attention. It has been used by scholars attempting to explain the differences between urban and rural voters far beyond the borders of the United States.
The Center for Local Government Studies is pleased to present an open seminar on August 27, where Katherine Cramer will discuss her research and reflect on the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
