The book 'What's the Matter with Kansas' by Thomas Frank has been hailed as a seminal piece of political writing. While it was written in 2004 about the US Republican Party, its premise still holds true: How do working-class people go against their self-interest when it comes to economic policies?

The heart-wrenching truth is that this phenomenon isn't just limited to Kansas, but rather it's a worldwide trend. And this should make us all question our democratic values.

But why should we be worried? After all, isn't democracy all about freedom and choice?

Let me ask you this, have you ever voted for a candidate that went back on their promises? Or have you ever felt like your voice wasn't being heard because of the political elite dictating policies that help them, not you?

Well, here's the reality - there's an increasing trend of populist leaders in countries like Hungary, Poland, and Brazil who use dog-whistle politics to convince working-class voters to support policies that go against their own interests.

This divide between the rich and poor isn't just happening in authoritarian countries either - this trend can be observed in established democracies like the United States, Germany, and the UK.

So, what's causing this trend?

As Thomas Frank explores in his book, American voters in Kansas fell prey to the culture wars - issues like abortion or same-sex marriage - which were portrayed by Republicans as being the biggest threat to their values rather than issues like income inequality, health care or education.

This begs the question, is it easier for politicians to win by mobilizing their base on cultural lines than economical? Is democracy at risk when culture wars become more important issues than economic inequality?

The solution to this complex problem isn't clear cut, but one thing we know is that we need to start questioning what truly matters to us and ask politicians tough questions on how they are working towards narrowing the divide between the rich and poor.

In conclusion, the heart-wrenching truth is that democracy is at risk when culture wars take precedence over economic policy. We need to start fighting for policies that narrow the gap between the haves and have nots for everyone, and not just a chosen few.

We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to do better.

In conclusion, 'What's the Matter with Kansas' puts a spotlight on a heartbreaking reality- the universal crisis of democratic values. In the era of populist politics and the increasing distance between the public and the politicians, this eye-opening film calls us to question our democratic beliefs and reconsider our understanding of political participation.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. We hope it has helped illuminate important aspects of the film and prompted a reflective mode of thought about our democratic duties as citizens of this world. We urge you to watch the movie with an open mind and engage in informed discussions about the issues and secrets raised by it. Together, we can evolve into a more empathetic, engaged, and educated community committed to safeguarding democracy.