Victor Davis Hanson argues trade skills beat costly college degrees for economic security
In a recent interview, Victor Davis Hanson contended that individuals with trade certifications avoid the debt and housing challenges faced by many college graduates, suggesting they are less likely to adopt socialist views.
During a conversation with host Sami Winc, Victor Davis Hanson examined the makeup of Democratic Socialists, describing them as predominantly white, highly educated, and residing in cities like Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York. He highlighted the high tuition costs and resulting debt associated with degrees in fields such as psychology and gender studies, linking these factors to a sense of unfairness about housing prices.
Hanson then recounted meetings with several well-paid tradespeople—a master electrician, a master gutter maker, and a pump specialist—who own homes and lack student debt, noting they are not socialist. He suggested that the preference for costly college pathways, rather than skilled trades, fuels the perception of economic injustice and the turn toward socialist ideas. The discussion also touched on recent primary races, including Francesca Hong’s loss to David Crowley and the upcoming Minnesota governor and Senate contests featuring Michelle Tafoya and Peggy Flanagan.
Why it matters
The piece highlights how education choices influence economic outlooks and political attitudes.
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