As the election approaches, I’ve noticed that some generally good analyses begin with the worst of rhetorical devices: insults.
For every online post you celebrate that is insulting Trump voters, Bernie voters, third-party voters… remember that insulted people (the voters) are unlikely to listen to whatever reasonable explanations you might offer for another candidate or solution.
Elites do this constantly. Ask “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” or “Why is the Central Valley of California so Ignorant?” and then wonder why those same people tune out the arguments that follow the questions.
You cannot issue general insults of the Rural West, the Great Plains, the South, the Southwest, and then wonder why those same voters don’t care at all what urban “thinkers” have to say. They don’t trust the elites because the elites treat Flyover Country like dirt.
Gee, I wonder why those “ignorant fools” we keep insulting won’t listen to experts?
There are reasons the voters in these rural areas have tuned out and turned away from the Democratic Party, Progressive Elites, and Mainstream Republicans. They are tired of being treated like caricatures instead of real people.
To persuade people, you must listen to them and use their values within your arguments. If people value work, then develop ways to promote public policies that help people enter the workforce. Argue from shared perspectives, even if you don’t share values with the opposition.
Why do so many intellectuals who are supposed experts in politics and public policy not understand how persuade audiences? The answer is obvious: they aren’t trying to persuade. The thinkers attacking groups of voters are merely preening and showing that they, as educated elites, belong to the correct social group. They can wear their anti-Trump or anti-Sanders status with pride as they walk the halls of higher education and think tanks. They will be invited to all the best parties, too.
Of course, these experts will have eager audiences as they reinforce the biases of each other.