When Democrats won the heartland : progressive populism in the age of Reagan, 1978-1992 / Cory Haala.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Haala, Cory, 1972- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Populism--United States--History--20th century.

Populism.

Progressivism (United States politics)--History--20th century.

Progressivism (United States politics).

Populism--History.

Progressivism (United States politics)--History.

Democratic Party (U.S.)--History--20th century.

Democratic Party (U.S.).

Middle West--Politics and government--20th century.

Middle West.

United States--Politics and government--1977-1981.

United States.

United States--Politics and government--1981-1989.

United States--Politics and government--1989-1993.

Physical Description:

xii, 325 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Urbana : University of Illinois Press, [2026]

Summary:

"In the 1980s, the Midwestern economic collapse caused by the farm crisis and deindustrialization inspired the region's liberal politicians to call on progressive populist traditions to rebuild local, state, and national Democratic parties. Cory Haala looks at the Midwest's central role in asserting an updated populism wielded by grassroots activists, politicians, and a wide-ranging coalition of voters to counter Reagan-era conservativism. This left-oriented movement resurrected the imagery and policies of twentieth-century radical parties like the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party and Robert La Follette's Wisconsin Idea. Delving into progressive populist ideas and tactics, Haala illuminates the work of the activists and politicians who led protests, founded a congressional caucus, and backed presidential campaigns that sought to advance their cause. Haala's account moves from Iron Range union halls to Iowa farmhouses to South Dakota reservations to revise views of Democratic Party history, the Midwest's political culture, and populism's role in US politics. A counter to established political narratives, When Democrats Won the Heartland takes readers into the history of an unexpected political moment." -- Page [4] of cover.

Contents:

Introduction

pt. I.1980-1984. Redefining progressivism ; Early victories ; Reintroducing populism

pt. II. 1985-1988. Organizing in crisis ; Political prairie fires ; The promise of the rainbow

pt. III. 1989-1992. Post-crisis politics ; A green bus, a painted garage ; Progressive populism or the third way?

Conclusion : reflections on the new Midwestern liberalism.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-306) and index.

Other Format:

ebook version :

ISBN:

9780252049521

0252049527

9780252089176

0252089170

OCLC:

1548258068

Publisher Number:

90104334181

CIPO000345139