Sacrifice zone

But if we look past the exceptionalist tropes, we find that Appalachia is not a backward outlier.

Instead, it is a microcosm of the broader American political economy, a sacrifice zone where the mechanics of institutional power are simply more visible.

By examining the architecture of power within the region, the systems of ownership, legislative capture, and civic control, we can see how power is maintained, how it evolves from illicit bribes to legalized rent-seeking, and where the real seeds of resistance are planted.

The Appalachianization of America.

John, you are on the line.

I kind of wanted to maybe touch base about the sacrifice zones.

That's part of our history where industrial activities have left certain geographical areas.

You've heard of the sacrifice zone concept, correct?

We got te- advice from Missouri because other regions have gone through this.

They're called sacrifice zones.

As you point out, poorer regions, racialized regions, rural regions, they get targeted.

Um, this is not cool Silicon Valley types.