Strangers in Their Own Land

by

Arlie Russell Hochschild

A corporate consulting report that Hochschild reads argues that conservative, Christian, white communities with low levels of education and without a “culture of activism” are the least likely to resist toxic waste dumping in the places where they live. Hochschild sees Tea Party conservatives as exemplifying the “least resistant personality” and suggests that this might explain why Louisiana suffers such a high level of pollution.
Get the entire Strangers in Their Own Land LitChart as a printable PDF.
Strangers in Their Own Land PDF

Least Resistant Personality Term Timeline in Strangers in Their Own Land

The timeline below shows where the term Least Resistant Personality appears in Strangers in Their Own Land. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5 – The “Least Resistant Personality”
Trust, Empathy, and Political Progress Theme Icon
The Environment and the Economy Theme Icon
Personal Identity and Emotional Self-Interest Theme Icon
Some of Powell’s key “ least resistant personality ” traits are being conservative, pro-free market, and Republican; having low educational attainment and lacking... (full context)
Chapter 6 – Industry: “The Buckle in America’s Energy Belt”
Government Regulation and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Personal Identity and Emotional Self-Interest Theme Icon
Hochschild starts to think that Bob Hardey, one very powerful person with the “ least resistant personality ” type that chemical companies seek out, might have been Sasol’s key to forever transforming... (full context)