Declining Industry and Public Trust in America’s Company Towns

This article highlights a discussion from the Hoover Institution's "Matters of Policy & Politics" podcast, featuring fellow Elizabeth Mitchell Elder. The conversation explores the socio-economic and political consequences faced by American "company towns," particularly in Appalachia and the Midwest, after the decline of their primary industries, such as coal mining. Elder argues that when these dominant employers withdraw, local communities suffer not only economic hardship but also a profound loss of confidence in democratic institutions and local governance. Her findings, detailed in her 2026 book "Company Towns: Industry Power and the Historical Foundations of Public Mistrust," suggest that the historical power dynamics of single-industry towns have left a lasting legacy of public distrust. The analysis connects the collapse of local economic structures to broader crises in civic engagement and political efficacy, offering insights into how place and social context shape political attitudes in post-industrial America.