Gabriel Winant

Lily Geismer, a historian at Claremont McKenna College, and Brent Cebul from the University of Pennsylvania delve into the intricacies of professional-class liberalism as explored in their collection, Mastery and Drift. They discuss how the PMC has shaped contemporary politics, including trends from the Clinton and Obama eras to the rise of populism. With insights on the tension between expert-driven policies and grassroots movements, they critique the reliance on philanthropy over public solutions. The conversation offers a historical lens on labor, activism, and the changing face of liberalism.

"Conjuncture w/ Akbar, Winant, & Riofrancos" features Amna Akbar, Gabriel Winant, and Thea Riofrancos. They discuss the American conjuncture, analyzing its impact on the left. They explore protest movements like Occupy, Ferguson, and Standing Rock, examining how they formed the new American left. They also delve into the limited impact of police reform efforts and the challenges faced by left-leaning organizations during protests. Additionally, they discuss the shift in focus during the pandemic and the contradictory outcomes of economic policies, leading to a potential post-neoliberal order.

Gabriel Winant, a history professor at the University of Chicago and volunteer organizer, hosts Eric Blanc, an outspoken advocate for worker-led movements and author of 'We Are the Union.' They delve into the revitalization of labor movements through grassroots organizing, discussing the rise of younger workers’ involvement and innovative strategies for union engagement. The importance of solidarity to combat corporate dominance is emphasized, along with calls for coordinated action to empower workers and address contemporary challenges in the labor landscape.

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.

Brent Cebul, an associate professor of history, and Lily Geismer, a professor at Claremont McKenna College, dive into the dynamics of professional class liberalism and its influence on key political moments. Gabriel Winant, also a historian, discusses the complexities of the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) and its dual role in society. They critique modern liberalism's disconnect with grassroots movements, the role of philanthropy in politics, and the challenges of coalition-building among left-liberal factions, emphasizing the need for grassroots organizing in today’s climate.