Book · 2007 · Political Science
What's the Matter with Kansas?
How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
- mentions
- 11
- people
- 9
- podcasts
- 6
- episodes
- 10
- critical mentions
- 0
Do we have Thomas Frank's book here I think we used to I mean what's the matter with Kansas I I I understand how left to see it it's also a diagnosis for literally how the Playbook of all of this has happened I encourage people to go out and read it.
What they say about it
- Voting against economic self interest2
- Connection to Listen Liberal“themes in Listen Liberal are hinted at”2
The best things said about it
There was an early another earlier book about Kansas called of course what's the matter with Kansas by Tom Frank in which he asked the question why did so many canans vote against their own economic self-interest.
A lot of the themes in Listen Liberal are hinted at in What's the Matter with Kansas.
Progressive candidates even at the expense of like their own lives which very much sounds to me like what's the matter with Kansas it's the same version of construction like these people are voting against their own interests.
He wrote that book called What's the Matter with Kansas which is examine what's wrong with conservatives.
Jimmy Dore The Joe Rogan Experience · Feb 2018 Where and when it comes up
Mentions per year
How it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
9 people who brought it up
Why people recommend it
What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank is a penetrating political analysis that investigates why working-class voters in conservative heartlands frequently support political platforms and economic policies that appear to run counter to their own financial self-interest. Emily Jashinsky strongly recommended the book on Breaking Points, characterizing it as an essential diagnostic tool for understanding the historical playbook of political realignment and culture-war politics, and encouraging her audience to read it. The book was also frequently referenced by Saagar Enjeti on Breaking Points and by hosts on The Book Review, including Pamela Paul and David Frum, during discussions examining the evolving landscape of American populism and voting patterns. Commentators utilized Frank's core thesis to contextualize how modern political campaigns successfully mobilize voters by leaning heavily into social and cultural grievances rather than purely economic arguments. Other authors, such as Jeremy Carl on Interesting Times, even used Frank's famous title as a thematic allusion for their own political writing. Across various podcasts, Frank's work remains a vital touchstone for analyzing the deep ideological divides in American society, offering crucial perspective on the complex psychological and cultural forces driving voter behavior in the heartland.
Every mention
Emily Jashinsky do we have Thomas Frank's book here I think we used to I mean what's the matter with Kansas I I I understan… 1
“do we have Thomas Frank's book here I think we used to I mean what's the matter with Kansas I I I understand how left to see it it's also a diagnosis for literally how the Playbook of all of this has happened I encourage people to go out and read it”
Pamela Paul it stuck in my mind was that back when you were writing what's the matter with Kansas exactly so what has c… 2
“there was an early another earlier book about Kansas called of course what's the matter with Kansas by Tom Frank in which he asked the question why did so many canans vote against their own economic self-interest”
“it stuck in my mind was that back when you were writing what's the matter with Kansas exactly so what has changed since that Book 2004 that came out right now”
Saagar Enjeti So, there is an element of it where I mean remember what's the book Thomas Frank What's the Matter with Kan… 2
“So, there is an element of it where I mean remember what's the book Thomas Frank What's the Matter with Kansas?”
“It's almost like the what's the matter with Kansas book. You know, you see people I I was somebody recently who”
Camille Foster Progressive candidates even at the expense of like their own lives which very much sounds to me like what's… 1
“Progressive candidates even at the expense of like their own lives which very much sounds to me like what's the matter with Kansas it's the same version of construction like these people are voting against their own interests”
Chris Williamson have you heard of that book no it's quite old now but it was basically an argument that 1
“have you heard of that book no it's quite old now but it was basically an argument that”
David Frum it's like a a version of that old Thomas Frank book what's the matter with Kansas 1
“it's like a a version of that old Thomas Frank book what's the matter with Kansas”
Jeremy Carl I mean, again, the book I’m working on right now has got the working title, what’s the matter with Minnesot… 1
“I mean, again, the book I’m working on right now has got the working title, what’s the matter with Minnesota. And I chose that a year ago. By the way, listeners, just like you will recognize that as an allusion to Thomas Frank’s book. What’s the matter with Kansas.”
Jimmy Dore He wrote that book called what's the matter with Kansas which is examine what's wrong with conservatives an… 1
“He wrote that book called what's the matter with Kansas which is examine what's wrong with conservatives and then he wrote a book called listen liberal which came out I think two years ago”
Thomas Frank a lot of the themes in listen liberal are hinted at in what's the matter with Kansas in particular the last… 1
“a lot of the themes in listen liberal are hinted at in what's the matter with Kansas in particular the last chapter of what's the matter with Kansas basically has the pre for listen liberal”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (5: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Listen liberal by Thomas Frank who wrote What's the Matter with Kansas? Who had a call to arms about the future of the Democratic Party about 10 years ago.”
“it sounds a little similar to you know what Thomas Frank tried to do with what's the matter with Kansas”
“it is a state so republican that one of the most famous books written about republicans is called what's the matter with kansas”
“some other books that are coming up on Amazon include listen liberal by Thomas Frank author of what's the matter with Kansas”
“he's the author of uh what's the matter with Kansas and uh and he has a new book called listen liberal”