WORT 89.9FM Madison · What Keeps Pushing the Working Class from the Left to the Right? Today, Allen Ruff is speaking with David Ost, author of Red Pill Politics: Demystifying Today’s Far Right, From Fascism to Right-wing Populism, which examines the historical roots and recent revival of right-wing politics. Right-wing politics traditionally appealed to the elite and the bourgeois class, and did not support the working class in the way the left did. In difficult times, right-wing politics began to be more appealing to the working class who were dissatisfied with their situation. Ost argues that the same shift that happened in the 1930s is happening now. In 2016, Ost said that President Trump and Bernie Sanders were the wildcard candidates, but they were the only two that spoke about popular issues and doing something to help the working class, while the Democratic party had largely been ignoring the working class, pivoting to a broader middle class appeal since 2010. This, among other factors, has resulted in the far right securing more support from the middle and working classes. While Trump originally talked of lowering prices, building houses and creating more jobs, he has since abandoned those talking points and has done more to support big tech companies and the political elite. This type of political climate, Ost argues, creates opportune conditions for Fascism to emerge. Ost discussed the impact of libertarian movements, why minorities are still attracted to right-wing politics, and the definition of working class. Ost emphasized the divide of education in the working class, and “knowledge workers,” who are less likely to be in support of policies that prevent them from making their own meaningful decisions. Ost worries that as AI begins replacing these jobs, the Democratic party must protect these people from losing their livelihood and getting recruited into the right-wing political movement. Per the publisher, Red Pill Politics draws on meticulous historical research and deep familiarity with current global developments to present a startlingly original analysis that helps us understand and challenge today’s most pressing political threat. In this masterful examination of far-right politics past and present, political scientist David Ost argues that in order to resist its revival, we must understand its often broad appeal, particularly to non-elites who have traditionally aligned with the Left. Ost shows that equating fascism only with violence and mass repression misses its distinctive populist elements, and thus keeps us from recognizing the dangers of a contemporary Right that, for now, downplays its repressive dimensions. Dr. David Ost is a Political Science Professor Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Ost has written widely on east European politics and society, with a focus on labor, democracy, political economy, capitalism and socialism. His books include Solidarity and the Politics of Anti-Politics (1990), Workers After Workers’ States (2001), The Defeat of Solidarity: Anger and Politics in Postcommunist Europe (2005); the special 2015 issue of East European Politics and Societies titled “Class After Communism.” His latest book is Red Pill Politics: Demystifying Today’s Far Right, From Fascism to Right-wing Populism (2026). HIs articles have appeared in journals such as Politics and Society, Eastern European Politics and Society, Constellations, European Journal of Social Theory, Comparative Politics, Theory and Society, Perspectives on Politics, European Journal of Industrial Relations, The Nation, Dissent, Telos, and Tikkun. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate here The post What Keeps Pushing the Working Class from the Left to the Right? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.
