Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber Why the Democrats Can’t Fight for Anything
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Jul 30, 2025 Phillip Rocco, an associate professor of political science at Marquette University, discusses why the Democratic Party struggles to fight effectively against the right. He emphasizes the detrimental effects of abandoning organized labor, leading to a fragmented party that fails to mobilize grassroots support. Rocco critiques the Democrats’ reliance on litigation over mass mobilization, contrasting it with the cohesive strategies of the Republican Party. He calls for a shift toward empowering local organizations and building a compelling political vision to engage disenchanted voters.
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Trump Resistance Paradox
- The current resistance to Trump is paradoxically more widespread but less effective and coordinated than before.
- Litigation is now key for Democrats but has become less effective due to a conservative court majority.
Limits of Policy Clientele Defense
- Democratic Party policies create organized interest groups defending their constituencies.
- This network's defensive capability is limited when widespread attacks impact many policies simultaneously.
Clientele Groups Lack Mobilization
- Policy clientele groups excel as lobbying vehicles but lack the organic member engagement for mass mobilization.
- Their organizational structure limits them from activating constituents beyond fundraising and occasional petitions.