This paper is supposed to shed light on other ongoing issues of said region which are intertwined with the issues of economic distress and poverty.
Donald Trump being one of the finalists of the primaries and coming into office as the 45th president of the United States on the 20th January 2017 was a surprising outcome of the US presidential election. Although Clinton won the national popular 48% of the vote, Trump managed to win most key battleground states, and therefore the electoral college vote with 306 electoral votes. 95% of all Appalachian counties voted for Trump in the election. As it is assumed that the region played an important role in Trump’ success, many questioned his supporter’s motives trying to ascribe it to one single issue. Instead, the author assumes that economic distress and poverty are two of the leading causes that favoured Trumps success.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Main Part
- Trump's Voter Base: Portraying Trump's voters
- Causes and current issues that favoured Trump's success in Appalachia
- Definition of Appalachia: A region facing economic distress and poverty
- Causes of the current situation
- Consequences of economic distress and poverty, and Trump's role
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the reasons behind Donald Trump's significant success in the Appalachian region during the 2016 US presidential election. It argues that economic distress and poverty are two leading factors contributing to this outcome. The paper investigates the socio-economic characteristics of Trump's voter base in Appalachia, examining the interwoven issues that exacerbated the region's vulnerabilities.
- The demographic profile of Trump's supporters in Appalachia.
- The economic and social factors contributing to poverty and distress in Appalachia.
- The consequences of economic hardship and their relationship to Trump's appeal.
- The historical and political context of Appalachia's unique position within the United States.
- The role of specific issues and prevailing circumstances in shaping voting patterns.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the surprising outcome of the 2016 US presidential election, highlighting Donald Trump's unexpected victory and the significant role played by Appalachian voters. It introduces the central argument that economic distress and poverty were key factors influencing Trump's success in the region. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, foreshadowing an examination of Trump's voter base, the causes of Appalachia's economic issues, and their impact on voting patterns. The author aims to provide a nuanced understanding of this phenomenon beyond simplistic explanations.
Trump's Voter Base: Portraying Trump's voters: This chapter analyzes the demographic characteristics of Trump's supporters, drawing on data from the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group. It reveals that white, non-college-educated voters, particularly older men with lower incomes, constituted a significant portion of his base. The chapter uses tables and figures to illustrate these demographic trends, contrasting them with Hillary Clinton's support base, which was stronger among college-educated white voters and younger demographics. The chapter highlights the prevalence of these demographics in Appalachia, laying the groundwork for connecting voter characteristics with the region's socio-economic challenges.
Causes and current issues that favoured Trump's success in Appalachia: This chapter delves into the underlying reasons for Trump's success in Appalachia. It begins by defining the Appalachian region and its unique characteristics, emphasizing its historical and ongoing economic struggles and its divergence from national norms. The author uses the perspective of Appalachian historian Joshua Wilkey to emphasize the region's distinct political and economic landscape. The chapter will further explore the specific causes of the region's economic distress and poverty, setting the stage for an analysis of the consequences in subsequent sections.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Appalachia, Donald Trump, 2016 US Presidential Election, economic distress, poverty, voting patterns, demographic analysis, non-college educated voters, rural communities, socio-economic factors, political landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Donald Trump's Success in Appalachia
What is the main topic of this document?
This document analyzes the reasons behind Donald Trump's significant success in the Appalachian region during the 2016 US presidential election. It focuses on the role of economic distress and poverty in shaping voting patterns.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes include the demographic profile of Trump's supporters in Appalachia, the economic and social factors contributing to poverty and distress in the region, the consequences of economic hardship and their relationship to Trump's appeal, the historical and political context of Appalachia, and the role of specific issues in shaping voting patterns.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured into an introduction, a main part (divided into sections on Trump's voter base and the causes of his success in Appalachia), and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
Who is the target audience of this document?
The target audience appears to be academics and researchers interested in the 2016 US presidential election, political geography, and the socio-economic factors influencing voting behavior. The language and structure suggest a scholarly or academic purpose.
What data sources are used in the document?
The document mentions using data from the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group to analyze the demographic characteristics of Trump's supporters. It also refers to the insights of Appalachian historian Joshua Wilkey to provide context on the region's unique political and economic landscape.
What are the key findings regarding Trump's voter base in Appalachia?
The document suggests that a significant portion of Trump's support in Appalachia came from white, non-college-educated voters, particularly older men with lower incomes. This demographic is contrasted with Hillary Clinton's stronger support among college-educated white voters and younger demographics.
What are the key factors contributing to economic distress and poverty in Appalachia, as discussed in the document?
While the document does not fully detail these factors, it highlights the region's historical and ongoing economic struggles and its divergence from national norms as key aspects contributing to the economic distress and poverty in Appalachia.
How does the document connect economic hardship to Trump's appeal?
The document argues that economic distress and poverty were key factors influencing Trump's success in Appalachia. It suggests that the consequences of economic hardship played a significant role in shaping voting patterns in the region, leading to a preference for Trump.
What is the overall conclusion of the document?
The document's overall conclusion is not explicitly stated in the provided preview, but it is implied that economic distress and poverty were crucial factors in Donald Trump's victory in the Appalachian region during the 2016 presidential election.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
The keywords include Appalachia, Donald Trump, 2016 US Presidential Election, economic distress, poverty, voting patterns, demographic analysis, non-college educated voters, rural communities, socio-economic factors, and political landscape.
- Quote paper
- Michelle Knappitsch Pascual (Author), 2020, Economic Distress and Poverty. Two Leading Causes Favouring Trumps Success in Appalachia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/934216
