Donald Trump has won the 2024 election, leaving Democrats bewildered. Polarization continues to influence the political landscape in the United States. The election prompted me to re-read Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild’s 2016 book “Strangers in their own land”. Hochschild, a Democrat, embarked on a journey to understand the emotions fueling the American political right. She researched America’s Great Paradox: Why do communities most affected by industrial harm often rally against environmental regulation and government intervention? Here’s what she found.

 

America’s Deep Story

Hochschild spent her career studying social dynamics. Motivated by her curiosity and driven by the need to bridge divides, she immersed herself in Louisiana’s Tea Party communities. Her aim was to explore why certain widespread beliefs existed. She describes the deep story of these communities. In this story, Americans picture themselves waiting in line for the American Dream, only to see others they perceive as cutting ahead with the government’s support. Many on the political right believe that the government, by favoring those cutting in line, has become an elite institution working against their interests. Conversely, many on the left view these conservative policies as benefitting the wealthy and ignoring community needs. This divide is political but also deeply emotional, rooted as it is in contrasting perspectives on fairness, loyalty, and identity.

 

Cultural tensions and the role of history

Historical traumas, including the legacy of the Civil War and the social upheavals of the 1960s, influence the views of modern-day Tea Party supporters in Louisiana. Many conservatives feel culturally estranged by progressive changes in society, such as movements for racial and gender equality. For them, these changes seem to prioritize others over their own beliefs and values, and this breeds resentment and alienation.

Louisiana’s political and economic landscape reflects these cultural tensions. Hochschild describes then-Governor Bobby Jindal's policies—such as drastic budget cuts, tax breaks for corporations, and reduced environmental protections—which contributed to financial crises and job losses. Despite experiencing these hardships firsthand, many residents continued to resist government intervention. This paradox reveals a strong cultural undercurrent. There’s a deep-seated sense of pride in community resilience and self-reliance, even when it comes at a personal or environmental cost.

 

The research foundation

Hochschild’s approach is rigorous and empathetic. Her research in Louisiana involved focus groups, interviews, and participant observation. This allowed her to capture intimate details of her subjects' lives. In addition to qualitative insights, Hochschild integrated statistical analysis from the General Social Survey and the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory. These data sources revealed trends—for example, people living in heavily polluted areas were often less supportive of environmental regulation than those in cleaner areas.

Hochschild’s research also tackles common conservative perceptions. It offers data-based counterpoints to popular beliefs about welfare, public employment, and environmental regulations. She found that these issues are often misunderstood, with data showing that environmental regulation does not significantly reduce jobs and that the economy has often performed better under Democratic leadership.

 

Building empathy bridges

Through her fieldwork, Hochschild identifies what she calls empathy bridges — connections across ideological divides that enable mutual understanding. These empathy bridges don’t require compromising critical thinking but rather call for a willingness to genuinely listen and understand others' lived experiences. Her research shows that empathy is essential to understanding and crucial to finding shared ground amid division.

 

Hochschild’s journey through America shows the possibility of bridging our own empathy walls. By listening and recognizing the values underpinning conservative perspectives, progressives can better understand the reasons behind right-leaning beliefs, and vice versa. In her hypothetical letters to both liberals and conservatives, Hochschild calls for mutual respect and an acknowledgment that both sides feel like strangers in their own land. Each holds one’s own truths and fears, and, paradoxically, each is fighting for an America they feel is slipping away.

 

Empathy as an antidote to division

Hochschild’s story is a testament to the power of empathy. American society faces polarization, but bridging divides is possible. By building empathy bridges, Americans can better understand and respect each other’s experiences, and build a society that addresses both personal and collective needs. As a reader, one feels compelled to confront one’s own biases, listen to others’ stories, and recognize the shared humanity that transcends political affiliation.

Source:

Russell Hochschild, A. (2016), Strangers in their own land – Anger and Mourning on the American Right, New York: The New Press.