The Movie Trope That Explains American Politics

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The Movie Trope That Explains American Politics

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Perhaps the key to understanding modern American politics isn't an academic think tank report, but instead rambunctious cult classic films, like Caddyshack and Animal House, that pit low-status underdogs against high-status bluebloods, preps, and jocks. In an essay for Politico, author Dan Brooks argues that movies like these hardwired Americans to root for the rude, rule-breaking outsiders over the buttoned-up establishment, and it’s shaping how people vote. Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Brooks to discuss how the “slobs versus snobs” movie trope can be a metaphor for American political parties, why candidates like Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner may be finding traction with voters, and whether Democrats can ever rewrite their role in this story. Read Brooks’ essay here. Get ad-free episodes, bonus content and extended interviews by becoming a member at levernews.com/join. To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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