"The other lesson is that the American system—built with wannabe dictators in mind—has done its job."
Coleman is exactly right about this. It is ideal when our leaders do not enjoy an autocratic aesthetic and have a genuine belief in separation of powers. But our system is built assuming that our leaders secretly lust for crowns and is designed to resist governance by the autocratically inclined, not just avoid it. To the extent this describes Trump - and reasonable minds may differ - that is a test our system should be able to pass, and did.
“The next four years will be a test. Either the Democrats will become the party of intersectional identity politics, or [of] classical liberalism.” Unfortunately, Coleman Hughes is right, and so is Niall Ferguson when he adds in “democratic socialism and the Green New Deal.” Sanders has vowed this fight will begin the day after Biden’s election as they begin pressuring him on appointments and policies.
Our most vital Job will be to protect Biden from the Marxist-backed “progressives,” who are openly adopting Tea Party tactics. But this group is now joining forces with neo-Marxist inspired intersection identity politics which poses an even more insidious threat (google: Haymarket Jacobin DSA conferences). As Hughes says, “Let’s hope, and fight, for [classical liberalism].”
"Let's hope and fight for" good working class jobs for all those who need them. These jobs can give dignity and economic security to those without a college education. Classical liberalism cannot do this; classical liberalism has its main appeal to those with a college education (and we will never live in a society where all jobs require a college education). All policies need to reflect Washington's concern with these jobs. Environmental policies, for example, must always have a component which provides for good working class jobs in place of any good jobs lost by these changes.
I agree it's important to remember that 'classical liberalism' nurtured a population that grew sick of politicians in both parties. That's where we were in 2016. It was always going to take something from the 'outside' (the traditional two parties) to stir things up; unfortunately that turned out to be Donald Trump. Biden will now try to pull the country back to dead center, which is a progressive goal at this time but still impossible over the next four years. All the old 'isms' are suspect. A new framework is needed.
"The other lesson is that the American system—built with wannabe dictators in mind—has done its job."
Coleman is exactly right about this. It is ideal when our leaders do not enjoy an autocratic aesthetic and have a genuine belief in separation of powers. But our system is built assuming that our leaders secretly lust for crowns and is designed to resist governance by the autocratically inclined, not just avoid it. To the extent this describes Trump - and reasonable minds may differ - that is a test our system should be able to pass, and did.
“The next four years will be a test. Either the Democrats will become the party of intersectional identity politics, or [of] classical liberalism.” Unfortunately, Coleman Hughes is right, and so is Niall Ferguson when he adds in “democratic socialism and the Green New Deal.” Sanders has vowed this fight will begin the day after Biden’s election as they begin pressuring him on appointments and policies.
Our most vital Job will be to protect Biden from the Marxist-backed “progressives,” who are openly adopting Tea Party tactics. But this group is now joining forces with neo-Marxist inspired intersection identity politics which poses an even more insidious threat (google: Haymarket Jacobin DSA conferences). As Hughes says, “Let’s hope, and fight, for [classical liberalism].”
"Let's hope and fight for" good working class jobs for all those who need them. These jobs can give dignity and economic security to those without a college education. Classical liberalism cannot do this; classical liberalism has its main appeal to those with a college education (and we will never live in a society where all jobs require a college education). All policies need to reflect Washington's concern with these jobs. Environmental policies, for example, must always have a component which provides for good working class jobs in place of any good jobs lost by these changes.
I agree it's important to remember that 'classical liberalism' nurtured a population that grew sick of politicians in both parties. That's where we were in 2016. It was always going to take something from the 'outside' (the traditional two parties) to stir things up; unfortunately that turned out to be Donald Trump. Biden will now try to pull the country back to dead center, which is a progressive goal at this time but still impossible over the next four years. All the old 'isms' are suspect. A new framework is needed.
Hughes and Ferguson are spot on.