The Politics of Immigration and Demographic Change (w/ Justin Gest)

America’s changing demographics have led to a nativist backlash against immigration. Justin Gest and I discuss why that is and what can be done about it.

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Immigration has meant that America’s demographics, throughout the whole of the nation’s history, have been in constant flux. Today, the percent of the population that’s foreign born is the highest it’s ever been, and we’‘e headed, over the next couple of decades, to a majority minority status.

This is all good news for the country, in terms of our dynamic economy and culture. But it’s also led to a significant social and political backlash, the rise of nativism, and a decided turn to reactionary populism among Republicans.

I’m joined today by Justin Gest, an associate professor at George Mason University, and author of a number of fascinating books digging into these critical issues. His latest is Majority Minority, from Oxford University Press.

• Here’s the Politico article Justin mentions in our discussion: “The Expiration of Title 42 Is a Reality Check”

ReImagining Liberty is a project of The UnPopulist, and is produced by Landry Ayres. Podcast art by Sergio R. M. Duarte. Music by Kevin MacLeod.