The Republican Party and Blue Collar Conservatism
Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Policy Center, Henry Olsen explained the concepts of Reagan Democrats, Blue Collar Conservatives and Working Class Republicans. He explained their role in electing Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan. Mr. Olsen spoke about how the Republican Party's message is sometimes at odds with these groups.
Description
Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Policy Center, Henry Olsen explained the concepts of Reagan Democrats, Blue Collar Conservatives and Working Class Republicans as voting blocs. He explained their role in electing Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan. Mr. Olsen also spoke about how the Republican Party's message is sometimes at odds with these groups.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- How are working-class republicans, blue-collar conservatives and Reagan Democrats similar?
- How did President Ronald Reagan appeal to this group of voters?
- Explain the voting patterns of this group after Reagan left office.
- Compare how Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan both appealed to blue-collar conservatives.
- How do the policies of the Republican Party differ from the priorities of blue-collar conservatives?
Additional Resources
- Video Clip: The Polarization of Political Parties
Reid Wilson discussed how political parties appeal to their own bases and how that causes increased polarization. He explained the changes in the level of trust between the parties in the last two decades and the consequences associated with this lack of trust.
- Lesson Plan: Political Parties
Political parties have played a significant role in American politics. The U.S. has evolved into a two party system; although, third parties have historically played a varying role in the political system. View the video clips below to learn about the history of political parties, their platforms, and their current roles in the U.S.
- Video Clip: 1984 Ronald Reagan Presidential Campaign Ad
President Ronald Reagan
Participants
Vocabulary
- Blue Collar
- Conservative
- Democrat
- Reagan Democrat
- Republican
- Tax Cut
- Working Class