QOTD – What is “rural resentment?”

QOTD – What is “rural resentment?” Search and add three layers in a new map: Search “2012 Presidential Election”. Select the eighth result down “Elections-state results” made by jessemaps Then about two-thirds of the way down add “Election 2012” made by a1448764_zid_ . . . . Search “USA Population Density”. Add “2012 USA Population Density (Mature Support)” You’ll have to click and unclick this layer to be able to see the first two layers.

State choropleth 2012 U.S. Presidential election results Blue = Democratic victory based on electoral votes Red = Republican victory based on electoral votes County Choropleth 2012 U.S. Presidential election results Blue = Democratic victory based on those in county who voted democratic Red = Republican victory based on those in county who voted republican

Click the “Election-state results 2012” layer and leave others unclicked. What spatial patterns can be noted on this state choropleth map? What conclusions can you make about the geography of who voted Democratic or Republican at this scale? Now click the “Election 2012” layer (i.e. scale down now to the county level). What changes can you see when you go from the state level results to the county level results?

If you changed the scale of analysis further, lets say to neighborhood level, what might be the result? Or if you changed the data? Voting patterns based on ethnicity or per capita income for instance? What if percentages were used as the aggregate data versus raw numbers? Will these maps change or be similar in the upcoming election?

What is “Rural Resentment?” Theories as to why rural voters are attracted to Trump: rural demographics mirror average Trump supporter (old, white, non-college educated) Conservatives like more open space, liberals like more density Not “getting their fair share compared to people in the cities” Economic anxiety (trade, immigration, big govt. fears) Racial resentment Many small towns are dying, young people move to cities