Good essay. I agree. When the internal competition over the direction of the Democratic party finally permeated my thick skull, I read something that has really stuck with me. This person said when you see purity tests, rules about who gets to speak, attempts at stifling good faith dissent and automatic flattening of adverse positions, you are probably looking at people who are jockeying for personal power within the organization rather than pursuing authentic ideological engagement.
Of course, an authentic ideological contest is inextricably intertwined with power plays. I guess that is as it should be. However, Michelle is correct. We need to observe professional detachment by avoiding the easy tactic of the personal destruction of our internal adversary. Democrats will be a better party if we stick to objective arguments while keeping in mind the best interest of not just the party as a party, but the best interest of the people the party represents.
Hmmm. Good question. I’d put nationalist identity as the core instinct, very committed to capitalism in practice, and then pro-corporate policy outcomes in the last. Their messaging might sound anti-elite, but the governing side still lines up with corporate power.
I totally agree here. I think we are close to seeing the Working Families Party accept all the progressives and socialists and the Democrats keep the capitalism-friendly types while the Republican Party dies. The current form of capitalism blended with colonialism we see is dying a horrible death. It may take us all down with it because some won't let go of the racism, sexism, and classism. Dare I say - some actually like it and don't like human rights. I hope we collectively don't allow that and move to a new way that embraces human rights and justice. I think we will eventually. But I suspect this project won't go well.
I always thought I was liberal but it turns out I’m progressive.
Same!
Good essay. I agree. When the internal competition over the direction of the Democratic party finally permeated my thick skull, I read something that has really stuck with me. This person said when you see purity tests, rules about who gets to speak, attempts at stifling good faith dissent and automatic flattening of adverse positions, you are probably looking at people who are jockeying for personal power within the organization rather than pursuing authentic ideological engagement.
Of course, an authentic ideological contest is inextricably intertwined with power plays. I guess that is as it should be. However, Michelle is correct. We need to observe professional detachment by avoiding the easy tactic of the personal destruction of our internal adversary. Democrats will be a better party if we stick to objective arguments while keeping in mind the best interest of not just the party as a party, but the best interest of the people the party represents.
Thank you for the chart! It clarifies things I've been curious about, like the fact that I'm progressive, not liberal, as others have said here.
I would love to see one more row: Trump Republicans. What would you put in the 2nd, 3rd, and last columns of that row?
Hmmm. Good question. I’d put nationalist identity as the core instinct, very committed to capitalism in practice, and then pro-corporate policy outcomes in the last. Their messaging might sound anti-elite, but the governing side still lines up with corporate power.
Excellent piece, Michelle! Thank you! Just shared on bsky.
Very good article 👏. I love Hasan, I’ll catch some of his full clips online - not listening to 8 hours of streaming though.
Yeah. That’s way too much lol
I totally agree here. I think we are close to seeing the Working Families Party accept all the progressives and socialists and the Democrats keep the capitalism-friendly types while the Republican Party dies. The current form of capitalism blended with colonialism we see is dying a horrible death. It may take us all down with it because some won't let go of the racism, sexism, and classism. Dare I say - some actually like it and don't like human rights. I hope we collectively don't allow that and move to a new way that embraces human rights and justice. I think we will eventually. But I suspect this project won't go well.
I think you’re right. I’m optimistic about our future, but we have to go through a lot of hard things to get there.