5 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Trump and the Folklore of Capitalism
The article argues differently, that racist or reactionary views were not what drew most people to Trump:
One reason so many ordinary Americans have embraced Trump and his super-rich allies, despite scant evidence most voters endorse many of their reactionary views, is that they can directly draw on America’s “great reservoir of emotionally important social symbols”, and especially the symbol of “the American Businessman”. That symbolism has evolved in response to Americans’ sense that “the system” –as Trump’s populist rhetoric repeatedly echoes– is rigged. Yet, it continues to resonate with many of them.
I think it's a much more interesting analysis than the commonplace "well, they're all racists!". Because of course many of them are racists, but that doesn't explain what draws them to Trump so much. Trump doesn't even make that many racist speeches - more like a slip of the tongue here and there. His appeal lies elsewhere.
Comment by byingling at 23/01/2025 at 13:00 UTC*
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think it's pretty accurate, as well. While some who voted for Trump have used his ascendency to embrace and reinvigorate their vestigial racism, a great many also sincerely believe that they are *not* racist. And while that may, in many instances, be far less true than they believe, it still means Trump didn't win the hearts and minds of 75 million USofA voters because they were sitting at home watching the TV and thought, "Heh, this guy hates the -------- just as much as I do!". As in a vacation breakfast or a lifelong partner, not many people choose their vote or their champions solely with logical conscious thought.
The article puts a workable handle on "How the fuck did this happen?!":
In an era of accelerating, globally operating capitalism, Trump functions as a concrete personification of the “American Businessman” (and now sometimes: business*woman*) –and, even better, one who symbolizes that “the system” is best navigated by bending and sometimes breaking its confusing, often unfair rules.