The Politics of the Rural Vote
51 Pages Posted: 16 Nov 2007
Abstract
This article is about dispelling myths. Rural dwellers are thought to live in peaceful idyllic settings where issues are simple and unproblematic. A reduced focus on material goods renders money of less concern than in the faster paced style of urban living. Moreover, the political interests of rural dwellers are more fully protected than warranted by their actual numbers. Due to the Framers' compromises on behalf of the smaller states, institutional protections are inherent in our system of government for rural interests. These protections render conventional concerns about garnering political attention, acquiring political funding, and attaining political power largely irrelevant. For example, the issue most important to rural dwellers, that of federal subsidies to protect family farms, receives both attention and substantial congressional funding.
False. Entirely, demonstrably false. This article explores the intersection of money, politics, and rural dwellers, and concludes that, contrary to popular belief, rural dwellers have disproportionately little political voice.
Keywords: rural, political contributions, electoral college, political representation, political power
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation