Legal scholar Amna Akbar, historian Gabriel Winant, and political scientist Thea Riofrancos discuss the challenges and potential of the new US left, the revitalization of American liberalism, the limitations of the Democratic Party, the state of the climate movement, the radicalization of the right, and the role of labor and industrial policy.
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Quick takeaways
The left's electoral strategy has shifted towards running socialists within the Democratic Party to push its platform to the left and gain tangible opportunities for electoral victories.
Left-wing electoral organizing has seen substantial successes, bringing left-wing ideas into mainstream discourse and energizing the movement, but also faces limits and challenges that spark debates and different strategies among leftists.
While there may be debates about the limitations of electoral organizing, there is not a resurgent mood of anti-electoralism or third-partyism among the left, as the successes of left-wing candidates strengthen the argument for continued engagement within the Democratic Party.
The podcast explores the complexities and potential of left climate politics, emphasizing the need for a working-class coalition, green investment policies, and sustained grassroots organizing beyond electoral politics to achieve a more equitable and sustainable future.
Deep dives
The Shift in Electoral Strategy
The period starting with Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign represented a significant shift in the left's electoral strategy. Previously, the left had not seen much success in third-party campaigns, and a sense of disillusionment with electoral politics prevailed. However, the emergence of candidates like AOC running and winning in Democratic primaries signaled a new approach. This approach involved running socialists, progressives, or left liberals within the Democratic Party, with the goal of pushing the party and its platform to the left. This shift reflected a recognition that the existing party system offered more tangible opportunities for electoral victories, and it sought to harness the growing momentum of left-wing movements to gain power within the Democratic Party.
Assessment of the Left's Electoral Organizing Projects
The left's electoral organizing projects have witnessed substantial successes. Candidates like AOC, along with others at the local and state levels, have won seats and brought left-wing ideas and policies into the mainstream discourse. These victories have not only shifted the Overton window, but have also energized the left and attracted new members. Major wins, such as Brandon Johnson's mayoral win in Chicago, demonstrate the growing influence and impact of left-wing electoral organizing. However, there have also been limits and challenges. Some perceive the left's focus on electoral politics as a distraction from other forms of organizing and direct action. There is a risk of co-optation and dilution of left-wing principles within the Democratic Party, as well as disappointment in the limitations of working within a party system that still prioritizes the interests of capital. Furthermore, the question of whether the left should build independent third-party alternatives or continue within the Democratic Party sparks debates and different strategies among leftists.
Resurgent Mood of Anti-Electoralism or Third-Partyism
While there may be criticism and debates within the left about the limitations of electoral organizing, there does not appear to be a resurgent mood of anti-electoralism or third-partyism. The success of left-wing candidates and the positive impact they have had on policy discussions and public perception has strengthened the argument for continued engagement within the Democratic Party. However, discussions around the need for independent political alternatives, whether through third parties or other means, persist. The left grapples with the tension between trying to radicalize and transform the Democratic Party and the desire for more fundamental systemic change. As the left continues to grow and evolve, the strategy around electoral organizing will likely remain a subject of ongoing debate and experimentation.
The changing landscape of left politics in the US
The podcast episode discusses the changing landscape of left politics in the United States, particularly in relation to electoral politics. It highlights the shift towards engaging with the state as a terrain for the left to contest power and how the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign marked a significant sea change in the ability to envision left-wing electoral success. The episode also explores the influence of Obama's presidency on the left, including the disappointment some felt with his policies and its role in radicalizing certain sections of the left, particularly young black voters. Furthermore, the episode delves into the complex relationship between the socialist left and the Democratic Party, recognizing the party's alignment with capital while acknowledging the challenges of breaking away from it completely. Overall, the discussion reveals a sense of disorientation and examination of the opportunities and limitations of electoral politics for the left in the United States.
The state of DSA and the challenges ahead
The episode delves into the current state of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the debates within the organization surrounding their relationship to the Democratic Party. It highlights the declining membership of the DSA in recent years and the factional fights between different wings of the organization. The discussion also recognizes the tension between running candidates as Democrats and the need to focus on labor and tenant organizing. It emphasizes the importance of both electoral work and building other forms of organizing beyond elections, while acknowledging the challenges of balancing these efforts. Additionally, the episode examines the significance of the DSA's engagement in local and state level electoral work and the need for progress in other areas of organizing to fully realize the potential of the organization.
Climate politics, Sunrise Movement, and challenges ahead
The podcast episode explores climate politics under the Biden administration and the role of the Sunrise Movement in advancing a Green New Deal and left climate politics. It notes a decline in momentum and youth involvement in climate action during the pandemic, discussing the challenges faced by the Sunrise Movement in maintaining its political influence. The episode highlights the shift in terrain toward shaping state intervention and investment in green technologies and the tensions between economic growth and environmental justice. It also touches on the broader challenges of mass mobilization around climate issues and the need for sustained grassroots organizing beyond electoral politics. Furthermore, the discussion raises concerns about the impact of industrial policies on labor rights and the urgency of ensuring a more empowering role for workers in sectors stimulated by state intervention.
The Importance of Green Investment and the Green New Deal
The podcast discusses the shift in climate politics towards a focus on green investment and implementing the Green New Deal. It emphasizes the need for the left to articulate its own green industrial program, highlighting the potential of a working-class coalition to push for innovative green investment policies. The emergence of the climate labor alliance is seen as a hopeful development in this regard, as it supports the UAW's militant direction and potential strikes. Overall, the podcast underscores the significance of the green investment platform and the need to continue working towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
The Challenges of Organizing and Building Social Bases
The podcast explores different approaches to political work, including advocacy, mobilizing, and organizing. It examines the limitations of mobilizing efforts like the Sunrise Movement, which have successfully mobilized a generation of people but struggle to build a larger social base. The conversation acknowledges the need for a larger and more sustained social base to tackle climate policy and fossil fuel capital effectively. Moreover, it reflects on the disorientation within the left and the importance of building alliances and solidarity across various movements, such as the struggle against COP city, anti-pipeline campaigns, and immigrant rights politics. Lastly, the podcast touches on internationalism and the challenges of navigating geopolitics and shaping a popular internationalist movement.
Featuring Amna Akbar, Gabriel Winant, and Thea Riofrancos on the emerging terrain of struggle. Is American liberalism exhausted or revitalized? What are the successes and limits of the new US left electoral strategy? Is there a new anti-electoral mood amongst socialists? Why don't we have a powerful climate movement? What forces are making and remaking the American working class today? The second and final part of a very wide-ranging interview.
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