New research shows a stark split between college‑educated Democrats and working‑class voters over what matters most in defending democracy. While resisting authoritarianism ranks near the top for the party’s educated base, it falls to 19th place among working‑class Americans. The study argues that Democrats can bridge this gap by shifting the conversation toward government corruption, a concern that resonates strongly across racial and economic lines.
The Divide Over Democracy
The survey, conducted by the Centre for Working‑Class Politics, found that resisting authoritarianism is the second‑highest priority for Democrats with a college degree. For working‑class respondents – defined as those without a degree and earning in the middle 50 % of US income – the same issue languishes at 19th out of 20 priorities. The gap between the two groups stretches to 33 percentage points, larger than on any other topic measured. This disconnect explains why the party’s base pushes for bold stands against Trump’s attacks on democratic norms, while many working‑class voters feel those messages do not speak to their everyday concerns.
Corruption as a Bridge
When asked about reducing corruption, working‑class voters ranked it far higher: third for white respondents, fourth for Latino respondents and sixth for African‑American respondents. It was one of only two non‑economic issues that appeared in the top ten working‑class priorities. Researchers note that, in the UK, working‑class people often use the word “corruption” to signal a deeper sense of injustice rather than a strict legal definition. One interviewee, protesting outside Parliament with a taxpayer‑subsidised gin and tonic, said, “The whole system needs [to be] seriously looked at and reformed.” A working‑class woman added, “The government don’t care about me, they don’t care about my children.” These sentiments reveal that talking about corruption offers a way for Democrats to tap into a widespread feeling that the political system is rigged against ordinary people.
Jon Ossoff’s Blueprint
Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re‑election in Georgia, provides a concrete example of how to frame the issue. He told reporters, “American politics is coin operated. Money comes in, favors come out.” Ossoff coined the phrase “Mar‑a‑Lago mafia” to describe the alliance of the Trump family and the ultra‑rich, arguing that it has taken American corruption to “spectacular new heights.” He then linked that corruption to tangible harms: “One point six billion of your tax dollars to fund and finance [Donald Trump’s sons’] mining project in Kazakhstan. All this, while you pay for more gas, for groceries, for healthcare.” Finally, he turned the focus to economic elites, noting that members of Congress live in fear of super PACs, which enables insurance companies to deny life‑saving claims and allows the wealthy to enjoy tax breaks while ordinary families face higher costs. By redirecting anger from political elites toward the economic beneficiaries of a corrupt system, Ossoff demonstrates a model Democrats could adopt nationwide.
Long‑Term Economic Reset
The research also highlights that eight of the top ten working‑class priorities are economic in nature. While the party’s educated wing concentrates tightly on prices, working‑class voters also prize higher wages and broader economic opportunity. Many feel that democracy has failed them over the past four decades; the share of GDP going to American workers has fallen from 70 % to 54 %. This shift helps explain why virtually all Americans born in the post‑World War II era earned more than their parents, whereas only half of those born in 1980 can expect the same. The authors argue that the only sustainable way to defend democracy is to build an economy that delivers a stable, middle‑class life for working‑class Americans. Doing so would address the root cause of disillusionment and create a foundation for lasting democratic resilience.
Why it Matters
If Democrats continue to emphasise authoritarian resistance alone, they risk alienating the very voters whose support is essential for electoral success. By reframing the debate around corruption – a concern that cuts across education, race and income – the party can speak directly to the economic anxieties that drive working‑class decision‑making. Adopting this approach not only offers a plausible path to victory in the 2026 midterms but also lays the groundwork for a policy agenda that tackles inequality and restores faith in democratic institutions. In a political landscape where trust is low, linking the fight against corruption to the promise of a fairer economy may be the most effective way to safeguard both electoral prospects and the health of American democracy.
