It feels like an eternity since the year started with a palpable sense of optimism… A reflection on where democracy stands at the end of 2023 – and what lies ahead
Thanks very much for the time and effort that you spend on this work. It seems like America may be sleepwalking into authoritariansm, so i appreciate your efforts to try to wake us all up. I have no specific expertise in politics, economics or sociology, but it seems like ultra-rich people (and corporations) are taking advantage of cultural issues, undermining education, and confidence in institutions to impose non-democratic systems on humanity. While there are serious issues with the American electorate and politicians, aren't the ultra-rich actually pulling the strings? It would be great to understand the dynamics of how big money is fueling anti-democratic trends. Can you elaborate more on the influence of money in your future work?
I'm glad you referenced Moyn's opinion piece on the Colorado supreme court decision and wondered what you made of it.
I was baffled, because Moyn had always seemed like a smart, thoughtful, reasonable left of center commenter. Is he some kind of post liberal? I always thought he avoided the pretzel logic that defines fake profundity.
I haven't read his new book and I'm not a political philosopher.
Can you clarify where you think he is coming from in that article?
In short: He is obsessed with the idea that (neo)liberalism is the real, the only real enemy - everything else just a distraction or, even worse, just the liberal establishment exploiting the situation to strengthen its position. It’s led him to a bizarre kind of anti-anti-Trumpism. I want to write about this soon.
This is just my subjective feeling, based on anecdotal information, but I feel like a lot of 2020 Biden voters have turned against him. I know I've totally soured on him. Of course we can keep on fighting for democracy no matter who is the next President, but the next couple of decades could be a rough ride. I hope I live long enough to see us come out the other side.
For those of us who grew up outside America, watching it currently go to war with its ideals has been heartbreaking. But it isn't the first time. America has always been, IMO, engaged in a battle with its lofty ideals. There have been times when those ideals have been shaken and other times when they have emerged victorious. Currently, multiple converging forces are pushing America towards towards a reactionary end. But as action leads to reaction, counter forces do exist, even if not unified or fully amassed in response. I have not seen any indication that a majority of Americans support the horribly authoritarian ideals espoused by Trumpism. All the horse race op-eds, and bad punditry aside, Americans, IMO, largely believe in fair elections, equality under the law, and rules with accountability. The idea of a travelling clown show holding rallies promoting lies, hate and absurdity while the wealthy get tax cuts isn't a substitute for competent governance. Even if the EC and voter suppression and courts were to grant Trump a second term, I believe the counter force would be strong. That said, dangers do exist. Real ones that have consumed other western nation lurk within. I have little optimism that the GOP can correct itself or that the ethically challenged Supreme Court will stop the madness, but I do have faith that voters largely reject a white only religiously controlled America where women, POC are second class citizens and ruling party members are immune from accountability. The rest of the punditry is just noise. And when that reality begins to dawn on the majority, I suspect a response will emerge.
Thanks very much for the time and effort that you spend on this work. It seems like America may be sleepwalking into authoritariansm, so i appreciate your efforts to try to wake us all up. I have no specific expertise in politics, economics or sociology, but it seems like ultra-rich people (and corporations) are taking advantage of cultural issues, undermining education, and confidence in institutions to impose non-democratic systems on humanity. While there are serious issues with the American electorate and politicians, aren't the ultra-rich actually pulling the strings? It would be great to understand the dynamics of how big money is fueling anti-democratic trends. Can you elaborate more on the influence of money in your future work?
Thanks for this, Dr. Zimmer.
I'm glad you referenced Moyn's opinion piece on the Colorado supreme court decision and wondered what you made of it.
I was baffled, because Moyn had always seemed like a smart, thoughtful, reasonable left of center commenter. Is he some kind of post liberal? I always thought he avoided the pretzel logic that defines fake profundity.
I haven't read his new book and I'm not a political philosopher.
Can you clarify where you think he is coming from in that article?
In short: He is obsessed with the idea that (neo)liberalism is the real, the only real enemy - everything else just a distraction or, even worse, just the liberal establishment exploiting the situation to strengthen its position. It’s led him to a bizarre kind of anti-anti-Trumpism. I want to write about this soon.
Thank you! And please do write about this. Much appreciated.
This is just my subjective feeling, based on anecdotal information, but I feel like a lot of 2020 Biden voters have turned against him. I know I've totally soured on him. Of course we can keep on fighting for democracy no matter who is the next President, but the next couple of decades could be a rough ride. I hope I live long enough to see us come out the other side.
just wondering why you’ve turned against Biden...I know it’s hard to “keep the faith”.
It's the war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. I honestly think it has lost him the election. There's no coming back from that.
For those of us who grew up outside America, watching it currently go to war with its ideals has been heartbreaking. But it isn't the first time. America has always been, IMO, engaged in a battle with its lofty ideals. There have been times when those ideals have been shaken and other times when they have emerged victorious. Currently, multiple converging forces are pushing America towards towards a reactionary end. But as action leads to reaction, counter forces do exist, even if not unified or fully amassed in response. I have not seen any indication that a majority of Americans support the horribly authoritarian ideals espoused by Trumpism. All the horse race op-eds, and bad punditry aside, Americans, IMO, largely believe in fair elections, equality under the law, and rules with accountability. The idea of a travelling clown show holding rallies promoting lies, hate and absurdity while the wealthy get tax cuts isn't a substitute for competent governance. Even if the EC and voter suppression and courts were to grant Trump a second term, I believe the counter force would be strong. That said, dangers do exist. Real ones that have consumed other western nation lurk within. I have little optimism that the GOP can correct itself or that the ethically challenged Supreme Court will stop the madness, but I do have faith that voters largely reject a white only religiously controlled America where women, POC are second class citizens and ruling party members are immune from accountability. The rest of the punditry is just noise. And when that reality begins to dawn on the majority, I suspect a response will emerge.
I assure you, it's heartbreaking for those of us who grew up inside America, too.