Weaponized Nostalgia A PG:CC with Thomas Zimmer

We know the conservative movement wants to return us to “a better time”, what they see as the “natural order”, with the white, straight Christian man on top, but even those who see themselves as liberal or centrist can struggle with the idea of changing the status quo, because it feels like a potential losing proposition for people who have always been at the top. That people who would be outwardly opposed to MAGA still feel uncomfortable with all these calls for equality and respect, especially when it’s perceived to question their judgment, or status in society. Nostalgia is a powerful part of the human condition, and it can easily become the filter through which every political, social, and cultural piece of information is absorbed. So if a political movement offers to bring back what has supposedly been lost, or at least keep us at status quo, it’s hard to resist because it speaks directly to the anxieties people have around the social and cultural change America has been undergoing over the past century. If you enjoy what we do, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You’ll get this podcast ad free and a bunch of other perks as well as the knowledge that you’re allowing us to keep bringing you the best content possible. That’s https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium Thank you for caring! xoPG MERCH STORE NOW OPEN: Check it out at: https://www.politicsgirl.com/store Guest social: Website: https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/0033600001q9V3MAAU/thomas-zimmer Podcast: Is This Democracy https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-this-democracy/id1652741954 Substack: Democracy Americana https://thomaszimmer.substack.com/ Twitter: @tzimmer_history As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward!   All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl   Thank you to today’s sponsors! www.trymiracle.com/politicsgirl code: PoliticsGirl www.reelpaper.com/politicsgirl code: PoliticsGirl