New Report: Working-Class Social and Economic Attitudes – Jacobin

Report on Working-Class Social and Economic Attitudes in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A new report from the Center for Working-Class Politics and Jacobin provides a comprehensive analysis of the social and economic attitudes of the American working class. The findings offer critical insights into voter alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning poverty, inequality, and economic justice.

Methodology

The analysis is based on a longitudinal study of public opinion data from 1960 to 2022, utilizing three primary sources:

• American National Election Studies (ANES)
• General Social Survey (GSS)
• Cooperative Election Study (CES)

Attitudes were tracked across six domains, with a specific focus on policies that directly correlate with the SDGs. A supplemental analysis of the 2020 ANES was conducted to identify specific voter segments.

Key Findings: Economic Attitudes and Alignment with SDGs

Support for Policies Advancing SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The report indicates overwhelming working-class support for predistributive policies that are fundamental to achieving SDG 8. Key findings include:

• Broad approval for raising the minimum wage.
• Strong support for enhanced job protections.
• Working-class support for these measures is notably stronger than that of middle- and upper-class voters, demonstrating a deep commitment to the principles of decent work for all.

Support for Policies Advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Working-class voters show strong alignment with redistributive policies aimed at combating poverty and reducing inequality.

• There is significant support for expanding social safety nets like Social Security and Medicare, which are crucial for achieving SDG 1.
• These attitudes reflect a preference for policies that directly address and reduce economic disparities, a core target of SDG 10.
• A notable caveat is that support can diminish when these programs are explicitly framed in the context of increased taxation.

Key Findings: Social Attitudes and Alignment with SDGs

Evolving Perspectives on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

While often characterized as culturally conservative, the working class has demonstrated a significant progressive shift on social issues over the past two decades.

• Views on civil rights and immigration have moved leftward, indicating a growing alignment with the inclusivity targets of SDG 10.
• Support for LGBTQ rights has also increased, reflecting progress toward the broader principles of equality outlined in SDG 5 and SDG 10.

The Pace of Change and Relative Perceptions

A critical finding is the disparity in the rate of change between classes. Middle- and upper-class voters have adopted progressive social views more rapidly than working-class voters. This has created a relative gap, which can lead to the perception that the working class is more conservative than its evolving attitudes suggest.

Implications for Political Engagement and SDG Advancement

Centrality of Economic Populism for SDG Alignment

The report concludes that political appeals to the working class must be centered on economic populism. This approach directly aligns with the objectives of several SDGs and resonates strongly with this demographic. The data suggests that focusing on policies that advance SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is the most effective strategy for engagement.

Identification of a Key Persuadable Electorate

The analysis of 2020 Trump voters reveals a small but electorally significant bloc that could be pivotal in advancing SDG-related policies. This group is defined by the following characteristics:

1. Comprises over 10% of working-class Trump voters.
2. Holds progressive views on economic policies, aligning with SDGs 1, 8, and 10.
3. Maintains moderate views on cultural issues.

This segment represents a persuadable audience for political messaging that connects progressive economic policy with tangible improvements in well-being and economic security, thereby advancing the global sustainable development agenda.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The article on the social and economic attitudes of the working class addresses several Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on economic inequality, labor rights, social protection, and political inclusion.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article connects to this goal through its discussion of social safety nets. The report analyzes public opinion on redistributive policies such as “expanding Social Security and Medicare spending,” which are crucial social protection systems designed to prevent poverty, especially among the elderly and vulnerable populations.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This goal is central to the article’s analysis. The report highlights that “working-class voters overwhelmingly support a range of bold progressive economic policies,” including predistributive measures like “raising the minimum wage” and “job protections.” These issues are at the core of ensuring decent work and fair wages for all workers.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire study is framed around the differences in attitudes and economic realities between “working-class voters” and “wealthier Americans.” It examines policies aimed at predistribution and redistribution to address economic disparities and explicitly measures how support for these policies differs by class, thus focusing on reducing inequalities within the country.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article touches upon this goal by examining issues of inclusion and representation within the political system. It analyzes “working-class views on civil rights,” the political alignment of different segments of the working class, and how their attitudes could make them “persuadable” voters. This relates to building more inclusive and representative institutions that respond to the needs of all citizens.

Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified.

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

   This target is directly addressed by the article’s finding that working-class Americans are “more favorable toward redistributive policies such as expanding Social Security and Medicare spending.” These programs are fundamental components of the U.S. social protection system.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

   The article’s focus on support for “raising the minimum wage” is a direct link to this target’s emphasis on fair pay. The discussion of predistributive policies also aligns with the goal of achieving decent work for all.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

   The article’s core purpose is to understand the attitudes of the working class to better facilitate their political and economic inclusion. It argues that “economic populism must be the core of progressive appeals to workers” to win their support and ensure their concerns are represented in the political process.

4. Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

   This target is explicitly covered. The study analyzes public opinion on “predistribution (like wages and job protections) and redistribution (like taxes and social programs).” The findings show strong working-class support for “minimum wage hikes” and spending on social programs, which are the exact types of policies this target advocates for to reduce inequality.

Implied Indicators for Measurement

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress toward the identified targets.

• Indicator for Target 1.3 & 10.4: Proportion of the population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable.

  While not providing the exact proportion, the article uses public opinion data as a proxy for measuring the demand for and political viability of expanding these systems. The graphs showing high levels of support (e.g., “Govt should spend more on Social Security”) among the working class serve as an indicator of public will for strengthening social protection.

• Indicator for Target 8.5: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities.

  The article implies this indicator through its focus on “raising the minimum wage.” The level of the minimum wage and public support for increasing it are direct measures related to ensuring fair and equal pay.

• Indicator for Target 10.2 & 10.4: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.

  The article implies this by differentiating between the “working-class” and “wealthier Americans.” The entire analysis is predicated on this economic stratification. The support for redistributive and predistributive policies is presented as a means to address this income inequality, which is measured by such indicators.

• Indicator for Target 10.2: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

  The article touches on this by analyzing attitudes toward “civil rights” and “immigration.” Tracking shifts in these attitudes, as the study does, provides an indicator of social inclusion and the reduction of discrimination over time.

Summary of Findings

Source: jacobin.com