The Normalization of Anti-minority Rhetoric in US Politics

Once-fringe anti-minority comments have become typical campaign appeals from many mainstream politicians, indicating that the boundaries of acceptability are fluid and socially enforced. In "Parties and Prejudice", Dr. Maneesh Arora offers a framework for this new political terrain, arguing that social norms and party politics determine the political consequences, varying with the targeted minority group and the intended audience. Arora examines the distinctive ways that norms have developed—within each party—for different minorities, explaining Trump’s rise to power, the modern conservative agenda, and threats to the development of a multiracial democracy. Maneesh teaches Political Science at Wellesley College, and is involved in the Reimagining Democracy program at Harvard Kennedy School.