With slight modifications (Despite Bernie Sanders' and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s best efforts, the word “socialism” cannot be used in American political discourse even when socialism is being discussed) this essay applies quite well to working-class Republicans in the US.

Republican leadership appeals shamelessly to their fear of losing the lives made possible by a general increase in post-war prosperity and and by social programs championed by Democrats.

Zero-sum demagoguery fuels fears of immigrants, minorities, and the poor, resulting in working class white people consistently voting against their own interests. Quite a neat trick!

You’ve quite concisely explained a lot of the psychology of it.

Fred Shirley Brian Fehler