Jefferson Cowie's book argues that the white working class shifted towards conservative politics in the 1970s due to economic challenges, deindustrialization, and cultural changes, leading to a departure from the Democratic Party's New Deal Coalition.
In Jefferson Cowie's book Stayin' Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class, the main argument laid out in the introduction focuses on the transformation of the white working class's political leanings during the 1970s and how economic, social, and cultural dynamics contributed to this shift. Cowie argues that the period marked the erosion of the New Deal Coalition and a pivot towards more conservative politics among the white working-class demographic, which was once a stronghold for the Democratic Party. He attributes this shift to a range of factors, including the economic stagnation of the era, the impact of deindustrialization, and a sense of cultural dislocation experienced by this group in the face of the civil rights movement, liberal social changes, and the changing American economy.
The reasons Cowie gives for the political realignment of the white working class include the disillusionment with liberal policies, the perceived failure of the government to protect their economic interests, and the appeal of conservative leaders who promised to restore traditional values and prioritize American economic interests.