Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2025-10-24

Books mentioned on Can Economic Populism Save the Democratic Party? | The Ezra Klein Show

2 books · With Jared Abbott · Watch on YouTube

Jared Abbott recommended Rust Belt Union Blues by Lainey Newman and others and We're Still Here by Jennifer M. Silva.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

We earn a commission if you buy through the store links below, at no cost to you.

1. 

   Rust Belt Union Blues

   Lainey Newman; Theda Skocpol · at 1:05:01

   Rust Belt Union Blues by Lainey Newman and Theda Skocpol is a sociological study that investigates the hollowing out of community organizations and associational life across the American Rust Belt, examining how these economic and social shifts have fueled a political move toward the right in those regions.

   Recommended

   “So, one is, um, very similar to the point I was just making, this book by the Scotch Pole and and Laney Newman called Rust Belt Union Blues, which talks about the hollowing out of associational life and in the rust belt and the ways that's affected um, you know, the move to the right in those areas.”

   Jared Abbott Can Economic Populism Save the Democratic Party? | The Ezra Klein Show 2025-10-24 Listen at 1:05:01

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   We're Still Here

   Jennifer M. Silva · at 1:05:16

   We're Still Here by Jennifer M. Silva is a sociological non-fiction book that investigates working-class life, economic anxiety, and social alienation in industrial communities.

   Recommended

   “Another one is this beautiful book that's a few years old now um called We're Still Here by Jennifer Silva, which looks at working-class life in Northeast Pennsylvania and just shows the utter disillusionment that working-class people have with all institutions and the the depth of the problem that we have in trying to rebuild trust in institutions.”

   Jared Abbott Can Economic Populism Save the Democratic Party? | The Ezra Klein Show 2025-10-24 Listen at 1:05:16

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon