Government by the GDP of Counties-ocracy!
Critical Analysis
In the past two elections, which presidential candidate won the most counties?
What is the aggregate share of the nation’s GDP of the counties Biden won in 2020?
What is the big story the data tells?
What is one explanation for why this economic and political divide exists.
What is one consequence of this divide?
In the U.S. do we select presidents based on the number of counties they win (countyocracy), based on the GDP of the counties they win (countywealthocracy), or based on the number of popular (people’s) votes they win (democracy), or based on the number of electors pledged to them from states where they win the majority of the popular vote (electoralcollegeocracy)?
In America what offices do we select based on the number of popular (people’s) votes they win (democracy)?
Do you suppose that when Donald Trump says “I WON THE ELECTION!” he really means that he won the most counties in the U.S.?
Who was the last American President who did not concede an election he lost?
In a democracy the government is supposed to represents the will of the people. Which of the above methods of choosing a president seems like the most democratic?
Why do you think the majority of people in high GDP counties overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020?
Explain whether winning the lowest GDP counties is a better strategy for winning the presidency, the House, or the Senate?
Analysis of this data from Brookings concludes that, “To start with, the 2020’s sharpened economic divide forecasts gridlock in Congress and between the White House and Senate on the most important issues of economic policy.” Explain why this divide would lead to gridlock?
According to Brookings, “The problem is not only that Democrats and Republicans disagree on issues of culture, identity, and power, but that they represent radically different swaths of the economy.” If this divide continues and Republicans continue to lose the popular vote in presidential elections (they lost in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) what could Republicans do to recapture the support of the majority of Americans?
Learning Extension
Peruse this Brookings report: Biden-voting counties equal 70% of America’s economy. What does this mean for the nation’s political-economic divide?
Action Extension
Do some research on your country. Find out whether you live in a county Biden won and see what the GDP of your county is and how that stacks up compared to other U.S. counties. Look at the big chart below to see which portion of the chart your county belongs in and share your findings with class.
