In recent years, the US political landscape has changed significantly. The Democratic Party, once the representative of the working class, has gradually transformed into a party of educated and affluent voters. This shift has led to the loss of millions of votes among ordinary workers and labor unions.
In 2020, voters without higher education were almost evenly split between the two parties. Now, two-thirds of this group support Republicans. A similar shift can be seen in terms of income: while Democrats decisively won among middle-income earners in 2012, by 2024 this group has mostly turned to the Republicans.
The origins of this trend trace back to the 1990s, when Democrats focused on a post-industrial economy and signed free trade agreements, leading to a decrease in manufacturing and the promise of new jobs in the services sector. However, many of these jobs were inaccessible to former industrial workers, leading to disillusionment.
The example of West Virginia clearly demonstrates how the loss of industrial jobs and dissatisfaction with "green" policies shaped voter attitudes. Labor unions face similar issues: even active Democratic support could not regain worker votes as workers felt their issues were overlooked.
As a result, the Democratic Party now finds itself relying on a base of highly educated and wealthy voters, rather than the traditional working class. Meanwhile, Republicans have made gains among working-class voters by offering clear messages and practical solutions.
Similar trends are observed across the West, but they are particularly pronounced in the US. To regain the trust of the working class, the Democratic Party will need to rethink its approach and reconnect with its roots.
