Left in the Dust? Dimensions of “Ruralness” and Political Attitudes

Political psychology has long examined how group identities shape political attitudes. Yet, little is known about the psychology of “ruralness.” This study examines four distinct identity-based concepts—objective rural membership, subjective rural identity, rural linked fate, and rural consciousness—as predictors of political trust and efficacy. Using original survey data, I find that rural consciousness is the strongest and most consistent predictor of lower trust and external efficacy, especially at the federal level. However, internal efficacy is not influenced by rural consciousness. These results suggest that rural consciousness is the most politically salient attachment for rural Americans. Knowing this, we can gain insight on the differences in rural group-based attachments. Objectively living in a rural area, or even subjectively identifying as a rural American and feeling linked to other rural Americans is not enough to sway political attitudes. Instead, a high level of rural consciousness—built on distributive injustice—is necessary.