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October 23, 2020: Jonathan Rodden Lecture
NEST Distinguished Lecture 2020
Why Cities Lose: The Deep Roots of the Urban-Rural Political Divide
Friday, October 23, 2020 ยท Jonathan Rodden, Stanford University
Why is support for progressive political parties concentrated in cities and support for conservatives in rural and suburban areas? Drawing on his new book, Why Cities Lose, Jonathan Rodden presents a bold new interpretation of today's urban-rural political polarization. Many place exclusive blame on partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression. However, Rodden shows that this polarization, and the left's electoral challenges in the United States, Canada, and other countries, have deep roots in the history of urban industrialization, and are unlikely to change without reforms to electoral systems.
Please contact the Centre at zack.taylor@uwo.ca if you wish to view a video of the presentation and Q&A.