Time To Say Goodbye cover image

Time To Say Goodbye

Who Gets to Be a Populist? with Nancy Fraser

Nov 27, 2024
Nancy Fraser, the Henry and Louise Loeb Professor of Political and Social Science at the New School, dives into the intersections of neoliberalism and populism. She critiques the facade of progressive neoliberalism that prioritizes identity politics over economic equity. The conversation examines the evolution of the Democratic Party, highlighting the challenges faced by figures like Bernie Sanders. Fraser also analyzes populist narratives from Trump and Sanders, discussing their impact on political allegiances and the struggles within the Democratic Party ahead of the 2028 elections.
57:31

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The alliance of progressive neoliberalism and corporate interests has led to a disconnect between the Democratic Party and working-class voters.
  • Trumpism emerged as a populist reaction to political failures, contrasting with Bernie Sanders' inclusive vision centered on class struggle.

Deep dives

Understanding Progressive Neoliberalism

Progressive neoliberalism is characterized as a powerful alliance between mainstream liberal social movements and the influential sectors of the economy, such as Wall Street and Silicon Valley. This coalition was sustained by a shared focus on issues of recognition, including feminism and anti-racism, while neglecting broader economic concerns of working-class voters. The result was a superficial semblance of progressiveness that allowed corporate interests to disguise their plutocratic policies as altruism, effectively maintaining the status quo. This framework ultimately alienated many from the Democratic Party, as it appeared disconnected from real economic struggles.

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