Freddie deBoer on Democracy and the Democrats

Jul 27, 2024

Freddie deBoer, a provocative leftist thinker and author, dives into the complexities of democracy within the Democratic Party. He critiques Kamala Harris's elevation as a candidate, questioning whether it was a genuine democratic process. The conversation explores the erosion of grassroots involvement in politics, historical shifts in electoral conventions, and the impact of media on public perception. DeBoer also discusses how deindustrialization has affected voter sentiments and the acceptance of left-wing economic policies, emphasizing the need for deeper democratic practices.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Media, Politics, and Social Discourse

01:37 • 16min

The Erosion of Democracy within the Democratic Party

17:24 • 4min

The Democratic Dilemma: Identity, Electability, and Internal Conflicts

21:53 • 34min

The Kayfabe of Politics: Illusions and Deceptions

55:54 • 2min

Legacy and Loyalty in the Democratic Party

57:56 • 14min

The Consequences of Deindustrialization on Political Dynamics

01:12:24 • 3min

Exploring the Impact and Perception of Left-Wing Economic Policies

01:15:43 • 6min

That was fast. Just days after Joe Biden chose to remove himself from the presidential ticket, Kamala Harris is the unquestioned candidate of the Democratic Party. But was this a democratic process? Or was Biden bullied out of the ticket, and Harris shoehorned into it, without any attention paid to the peoples’ wishes? And who are “the people,” anyway?

Joining us to debate these questions is the author Freddie deBoer — one of the most influential and provocative leftist thinkers writing today. Freddie runs an extremely popular Substack. His latest book, How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement, is about how progressive institutions betrayed their own ideals. In the elevation of Harris to the presidential ticket, deBoer sees the same betrayal at work.

Damir and Shadi press Freddie on what democracy actually is, and how it would manifest itself within the workings of a modern political party. Were the contested electoral conventions of yore really less democratic that the process as it exists today? And what is the future of democracy within the Democratic Party?

Due to the special circumstances of our crazy electoral season, we are making this episode free for all listeners. Make sure you listen to the very end, so you can find out who is Freddie’s candidate for best Democrat president of his lifetime (it’s not who you think).

Required Reading

* “So Just Literally No Democratic Process From the Democrats,” by Freddie deBoer (Substack).

* “I Do Not Need to Defend Myself for Believing That Political Candidates Should Be Chosen Democratically,” by Freddie deBoer (Substack).

* How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement by Freddie deBoer (Amazon).

* The Cult of Smart: How Our Broken Education System Perpetuates Social Injustice by Freddie deBoer (Amazon).

* “Kamala Harris and the End of Democratic Debate,” by Shadi Hamid (Substack).

* “Planet of Cops,” by Freddie deBoer (Substack).

This post is part of our collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Governance and Markets.

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