The political scientist Suzanne Mettler discusses the social, economic and political factors that drove rural voters away from the Democratic Party.

A candidate who stands out for his monomania, double standards and affinity for extremists.

A candidate who stands out for his monomania, double standards and affinity for extremists.

Coarseness and conservative impulses in “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Readers respond to a guest essay by Danielle Sassoon about her experience at N.Y.U. Also: A crackdown on science; a plea to the former presidents.

The political scientist Suzanne Mettler examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.

Races in New Jersey and Virginia are testing the power of the moderate lane.

False humor is simply a technique to neutralize the unpalatable.

The political scientist Suzanne Mettler examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.

A Honduran teenager and his family live in America’s new immigration landscape.

America’s self-inflicted soybean problem.

The United States isn’t exceptional because of our common culture; it’s exceptional because Americans have been able to cohere despite cultures that set us apart.

A perverse delight in degradation has always coursed through MAGA circles.

More than any other presidential actions, clemencies tell us who presidents are.

Participants reflect on the “No Kings” demonstrations across the country.

While what is happening to us is as serious as a guillotine, we must harness our best humorous selves in order to keep it from falling.

Telling stories is how we make sense of life and what it means to be human.

Spanish has become a sanctioned indicator of potential criminality in the United States of America.

Senator Ruben Gallego says Democrats must strategize more shrewdly. President Trump’s base has “already set up the field to fight in,” he says. “They have all the information and we’re just playing catch-up.”

“The troquita — the truck — it’s symbolic,” Senator Ruben Gallego tells David Leonhardt on “The Opinions.” “It really is a status symbol that you have succeeded in this country.”

Lessons from a Democrat who won in a Republican state.

Lessons from a Democrat who won in a Republican state.

Smartphones are becoming casinos. Trump, whose son is invested in the industry, is only goosing the business.

The antidote to our polarized politics is a creative, re-energized political center.

The administration’s plan would defund the very intervention that has ended homelessness for people across the country.

Language policing. Cancel culture. Victimhood contests and cultural grievances. Despite attacking the left for partaking in such practices, there’s an emerging set of individuals on the right who have became exactly what they’ve criticized. Meet the woke right.

Trying to find purpose in an endless scroll of A.I.-generated videos.

Readers discuss the political battle over health care in America.

The Young Republicans’ Telegram chat was revealing in so many ways.