Tobias Nicolaus – Industrial Heartlands

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Industrial Heartlands Policy Papers

Industrial Heartlands Policy Papers

In October 2024, just a few weeks before the U.S. presidential election, the project fellows traveled through the American industrial heartlands to get a first-hand impression of the prevailing political climate and to engage with numerous organizations and individuals who are deeply involved in shaping the future of these industrial heartlands.

The meetings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in these regions, allowing the project fellows to summarize their findings in policy papers that provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and change makers in both the United States and Germany.

People-Centered Industrial Transformation: Lessons about Climate, Work, and Innovation from the American Heartlands

Industrial heartlands must leverage their existing infrastructure, skilled workforces, and industrial heritage to drive innovation and create well-paying jobs, particularly in energy and green technologies. Public–private partnerships, regional innovation clusters, and trade union support will be essential, as seen in successful initiatives like the Youngstown Business Incubator, which fosters entrepreneurship, workforce development, and technological innovation. Civic engagement models, such as Erie’s Jefferson Educational Society, can help bridge partisan divides, while philanthropic capital and sovereign wealth funds can mitigate economic risks by reinvesting in key industries and community revitalization. By focusing on these strategies, industrial heartlands can become leaders in sustainable development, ensuring short-term economic benefits, long-term prosperity, and democratic resilience. By learning from U.S. experiences, Germany can compare and navigate its own industrial transformation while further promoting regional collaboration.

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Unlocking Democracy: Lessons from America’s Industrial Heartlands

The industrial heartlands are places poised to lead the way into a more democratic, sustainable future. At the core of this transformation lies the power to unlock local leadership, foster regional collaboration, and provide the necessary tools for economic and social renewal. Through targeted policy recommendations, we aim to break through the structural barriers that have held back progress, unlocking the potential of every community to shape its future. By focusing on investment in people, place, and democratic processes, we can create vibrant, engaged communities that are resilient in the face of change and capable of guiding their own destinies.

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19. March 2025 0

NewsPolicy Paper

No Backlash, No Retreat

This representative survey conducted by Das Progressive Zentrum, in collaboration with the Progressive Policy Institute and Georgetown University’s Center for German and European Studies, provides new insights into public attitudes toward public investments and green transformation agendas in Germany and the U.S.

Against a backdrop of political upheaval and economic uncertainty, the findings reveal how these dynamics shape public opinion. Despite setbacks for green economic transformation, public support for climate and economic policies remains remarkably stable, with no significant backlash against green agendas in either country.

Contrary to assumptions that Trump’s victory signals a rejection of green policies, the findings show that a majority of Americans continue to support ambitious climate initiatives that promise economic opportunities. While Trump’s “America First” approach has led to the U.S. withdrawing from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord, public opinion demonstrates that “America First” does not equate to “climate second.” Notably, 42% of Trump voters see economic potential in climate action.

In Germany, a similar trend emerges. Despite concerns about economic stagnation and declining competitiveness, almost half of respondents support substantial investment in the green transformation of the economy.

There is also broad, cross-party backing for reforming the debt brake and increasing funding for economically disadvantaged regions, reflecting a shared recognition of the need to address regional inequalities and boost public investment in infrastructure, education, and innovation.

In both countries, the cost of living and economic stability remain top concerns, underscoring the financial pressures faced by many. These findings highlight the importance of reframing green policies to emphasize tangible benefits, such as cost savings and job creation, to maintain public support.

Five Key Findings

Strong Support for ‘America First,’ but Climate Action Retains Bipartisan Appeal
Public Investment in Climate and Infrastructure Faces a Messaging Challenge
Germany’s Cross-Party Consensus on Debt Brake Reform and Regional Investment
‘Bidenomics’ Lacks Public Awareness but Retains Moderate Support
Transatlantic Ties Remain Strong, but Value-Based Alignment Weakens

Methodology

The survey was conducted twice—first in early 2024 and again at the turn of 2024/2025—capturing shifts in sentiment following two pivotal events: Donald Trump’s election in the U.S. and the collapse of Germany’s traffic-light coalition government. The two nationally representative online surveys, conducted by Ipsos GmbH, each polled 1,500 residents in the U.S. and Germany. The first survey ran from February 19 to March 5, 2024, while the second took place from December 23, 2024, to January 13, 2025.

Authors

Florian Ranft is a member of the Executive Board and Head of “Green New Deal” at Das Progressive Zentrum. In his role, he works on social, regional, democratic and economic transformation issues in Germany and Europe and leads the project “Transatlantic Dialogue on the Industrial Heartlands.” Florian is co-author of studies and discussion papers such as Mir reicht’s Bürger (2023), Die Übergangenen – Strukturschwach & Erfahrungsstark (2022), or Tech with Society (2020) and is co-editor of Work in the Digital Age: Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (2018). He directs the major international conferences and seminars of Das Progressive Zentrum, such as the Progressive Governance Summit and the Progressive Ecnomics Network. He regularly comments on current domestic and foreign policy issues (e.g. in taz, the Jacobin, New Statesman). Previously, he was Head of Policy and International at Policy Network and Senior Research Analyst at the Centre for Progressive Policy, two London-based think tanks. Prior to that, he taught and researched political sociology and international politics at the universities of Frankfurt and Greifswald. Florian is Visiting Research Fellow with the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University, London.

Axel Ruppert is project manager overseeing international projects on socio-ecological transformation in the focus areas “Green New Deal” and “Resilient Democracy” of Das Progressive Zentrum. Previously, Axel worked in Brussels at the office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and at the European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET) and European Network Against Racism (ENAR). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Marburg University and a Master of Arts in European Studies from Aarhus University.

10. March 2025 0