The Urban-Rural Divide Is Making U.S. Policy Less Predictable
Political scientist Jonathan Rodden argues that American parties have realigned around geography, with Democrats concentrated in large metropolitan areas and Republicans drawing support across rural communities and smaller cities. He says the two-party system turns that divide into a recurring contest over whose way of life will prevail, driving mistrust and making long-term policy harder to predict. Rodden points to institutional reform, local control and new political coalitions as possible ways to reduce the divide.
Hoover Institution·Nov 3, 2026·5 min read
