Please join the American Politics Workshop as they host Andrew Ifedapo Thompson, Assistant Professor of Political Science, for a presentation on his new book, The Big Flip Racial Demographic Change and the Future of American Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2026)
As the United States approaches a transformative demographic milestone—when Americans of color become the majority and White Americans a minority—our democracy faces a test of unprecedented magnitude. The “big flip,” as this book calls it, is far more than a matter of numbers; it is a catalyst for deep political and psychological upheaval. Once merely a projection, this demographic shift now shapes national debates, fuels fears, and incites division across party lines. Through compelling analysis, this book uncovers how the anticipation of the big flip has stirred powerful anxieties, particularly among White Americans, and has been weaponized in the contemporary political landscape. These fears, built on misperceptions, threaten the very foundations of American democracy by eroding trust in democratic norms and increasing tolerance for political violence and authoritarian leaders. From the history of racial politics to the modern partisan orientation of demographic change, this work traces the ways in which simple ideas of shifting race can unsettle the national senses of identity and belonging. The fate of democracy hinges on whether citizens can remain committed to democratic values—even as the balance of power shifts—and suggests vital steps for individuals and institutions to preserve democracy amid rapid change. Thought-provoking and urgent, this book offers a crucial lens on the forces reshaping America’s political future.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Andrew Ifedapo Thompson is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. His work explores the role of racial demographic change in shifting Americans’ attitudes toward democracy. Thompson’s recent work identifies crucial areas of variation of racial threat across particular segments of the mass public and works toward offering solutions toward targeted deradicalization. Thompson has received several grants and fellowships, including those from the Russell Sage Foundation and Public Agenda. His work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Political Communication, Perspectives on Politics, and elsewhere.
Thompson received his PhD at Northwestern University and his BA at Marquette University. Prior to coming to the University of Pennsylvania, Thompson was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Ariel Sowers
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