What’s the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America by Thomas Frank

One Sentence Summary:

In “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”, Thomas Frank explores how the state’s working-class population became a stronghold for conservative politics.

Book Genre:

Non-fiction, political commentary

Main Topic of the Book:

The transformation of Kansas from a progressive state to a conservative stronghold and the reasons behind it.

Key Ideas:

• The rise of conservative politics in Kansas and its impact on the state’s working-class population.
• The use of cultural and values issues to draw attention away from economic policies that benefit the wealthy.
• The role of the Republican Party and conservative media in shaping the political narrative in Kansas.
• The impact of corporate influence and big business on Kansas’ political landscape.

Main Parts of the Book and Short Summary:

• Introduction: Frank introduces the premise of the book – how Kansas, a once progressive state, became a hotbed for conservative politics.
• Chapter 1: What’s the Matter with Kansas?: Frank delves into the history of Kansas and how it became known as the “cradle of progressivism” in the early 20th century.
• Chapter 2: The Rise of the Right: The author discusses the rise of conservatism in Kansas and how it gained traction among the state’s working-class population.
• Chapter 3: The Culture Wars: Frank explores how cultural issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, have been used to shift focus away from economic policies that benefit the wealthy.
• Chapter 4: The Triumph of the Right: This chapter delves into the power struggle between the working class and corporate elites in Kansas.
• Chapter 5: All Together Now: The author discusses the role of conservative media in promoting the Republican Party’s agenda in Kansas.
• Chapter 6: The Money Crunch: Frank analyzes the influence of big business and corporate interests on the political landscape in Kansas.
• Chapter 7: Conclusion: The author concludes with a discussion on how the working class in Kansas can regain political power and challenge the dominance of conservative politics.

Key Takeaways:

• The working class in Kansas has been drawn to conservative politics through the use of cultural and values issues.
• Conservative media and the Republican Party have played a significant role in shaping the narrative and promoting their agenda in Kansas.
• Big business and corporate interests have had a significant influence on the state’s political landscape.
• There is a need for the working class to unite and organize in order to challenge the dominance of conservative politics in Kansas.

Author’s Background and Qualifications:

Thomas Frank is an American political commentator and historian. He is a founding editor of The Baffler magazine and has also written for publications such as Harper’s Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Frank has a background in history and has written several books on politics and culture.

Target Audience:

This book is targeted towards individuals interested in the current state of politics in the United States, the rise of conservatism, and the impact of economic policies on the working class.

Publisher and First Publication Date:

• Publisher: Metropolitan Books
• Publication Date: April 2004

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