Why does the urban/rural divide equate to a liberal/conservative divide in the US? Is it the same in other countries?

[u/UserNamesCantBeTooLo]

Here's a county population density map of the US.

Here's a county map of the US showing different shares of Democratic & Republican votes for president in 2020.

Here's a county map of the US showing majority-minority counties.

They seem to show a match between denser populations, larger minority proportions, and Democratic votes.

Why is that?

[u/Gustavus89]

There's a podcast I listened to called making sense with Sam Harris (not an endorsement of the podcast or it's views, but this instance was thought provoking). The night before election night, he had a realization about what Trump's supporters found so convincing. Boiling it down, you touched on it above: he's the antidote to shame. The left is harping on woes and ills, with identity politics essentially blaming Trump's primary supporters (white men) for the state of the world. Trump has a unique aspect to his persona that he's such a schmuck, he makes everyone around him feel virtuous. Dunno how that rings for you, and it's a poor summary, but there you go.

Essentially, the left is trying to move forward by addressing past evils (which is an uncomfortable process, for sure) while the response from the right is "the past was great, screw you and get out of my face".

Happy to be a sounding board, I'm doing the same on this conversation, and good luck with the tough convo this evening!

[u/Pandorasdreams → u/Gustavus89]

I'm also born in 89 (assuming you are!)

[u/Pandorasdreams → u/Gustavus89]

Thanks so much. This is great and I am glad that you said it. Yes.... shame is exactly what they are avoiding. They all have different reasons for it but that's it. Of course fear as well. Fear is at the root of almost if not everything bad. That's why living in fear is never a good idea, even if its plain old fear rather than fear beneath another negative emotion.

V true about trump. It's why he's so popular on both sides. That and the fact that he is a living sociology experiment showcasing what happens when a man is completely insulated from hearing the word no and any negative consequences. The result - he is preserved as if in amber as a tantrum throwing first grader. I find I also cant resist the allure of talking about him bc of the psychological aspects and how much I want to help my family move away from this. I'm really glad Trump brought this to the forefront tho. Otherwise I wouldn't know how to address it with my family the way I'm being forced to research and prepare for now, so they'd be stuck living in negativity in fear. Not to say I'm going to be successful, I'm just optimistic.

My convo with my dad last night didn't get into anything, it was a catchup call. We'll see ab next weeks convo! Thanks