This study investigates how racial resentment influences political discontent among white Americans during periods of electoral loss.
Data & Methods: Analyzed survey data from 2004 and 2016 across diverse regions in the United States. Explored correlations between reported feelings of resentment, perceived electoral setbacks (especially against minority candidates), and declining satisfaction with democracy.
Key Findings: Higher racial resentment was linked to lower democratic satisfaction among whites who felt their group suffered political defeats during these election cycles. The findings challenge simplistic narratives suggesting that feeling wronged politically strengthens commitment to the system; instead, they show anger can have a corrosive effect on trust in democracy.
Implications: This suggests racial resentment may fuel political polarization and erode democratic norms among white voters. White identity politics appears intertwined with how whites respond emotionally after electoral losses, potentially undermining their engagement with representative democracy.
