Fellow Mary Katharine Ham “True Tales from an #LOLNothingMatters Republican” (Students Only, Off the Record)

One of the fascinating aspects of the Trump era is the extent to which it has upended the modern understanding of politics and parties and where it was headed. Trump's ascendance revealed many things, but foremost among them: 1) That American voters are not as ideological as many operatives and Beltway dwellers were treating them, and 2) That measuring possible outcomes by the old metrics could throw observers seriously off the scent of what was actually happening in the country. In some ways, the Trump realignment is a move away from Bill Bishop's "The Big Sort," a 2004 political theory and book which posited that like-minded people clustering together physically has polarized us politically. Trump undid some of our political segregation by turning MidWestern blue-collar union men into Republican voters in 2016 and many college-educated, exurban women into Democrats. Will this switching of jerseys persist and grow through 2018 and beyond or will the system revert to the norm? And what of those who feel disoriented and suddenly politically homeless—who look at the new politics and despair of the time ideology and old metrics mattered, and feel that #LOLNothingMatters? Perhaps it's healthy that the parties and candidates are made to compete for new demographics and the politically disillusioned in ways they didn't have to several years ago.

• This seminar is open to students only and off the record.


• Registration is required. However, seating is limited on a first come, first serve basis; capacity in the IOP Living Room is 45.


• Doors will open 30 minutes before the event begins. Any unclaimed seats will be released 10 minutes before the event begins. Please arrive early to claim your seat. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket order on Eventbrite so others may register.


• This venue is physically accessible and has gender-neutral restrooms. Please contact the Institute of Politics at politics@uchicago.edu or 773-834-4671 with any questions or accommodation requests.


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