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Why Do People Vote Against Their Own Interests? | This Matters with Bill Britt

Why people vote the way they do

Bill Britt examines why voters’ choices often reflect values, fears, identity and belonging as much as economics or policy.

People do not simply vote their interests. They vote their hierarchy of values.

A paycheck is an interest. So is safety, dignity, faith, belonging, liberty and the belief that your way of life deserves respect.

In this week’s “This Matters,” Bill Britt examines why the question “Why do people vote against their own interests?” often misses something essential about human nature and democracy.

Because persuasion does not begin with contempt. It begins when we care enough to ask why.

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