DeepSummary
The transcript is a recording of a podcast episode that discusses the relationship between the Democratic Party and the left-wing political movement in the United States. The host and guest explore the history of the Democratic Party, particularly the efforts of the 'New Politics' movement in the 1960s to reform and democratize the party's nomination process.
The episode delves into the challenges faced by progressive and socialist candidates in trying to work within the Democratic Party structure, which is often controlled by establishment forces. The host and guest argue that while the Democratic Party can be used as a tool to gain political representation, it cannot be relied upon to build a strong left-wing movement or enact fundamental socialist transformation.
Throughout the discussion, the host and guest acknowledge the complexities and contradictions involved in engaging with the Democratic Party. They emphasize the need for an independent left-wing movement to build working-class power and leverage the Democratic Party when necessary, rather than attempting to transform it from within.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Democratic Party is not a suitable vehicle for enacting fundamental socialist transformation, but it can be used as a tool by the left to gain political representation.
- An independent and active left-wing movement is necessary to build working-class power and leverage the Democratic Party when necessary.
- The 'New Politics' movement of the 1960s attempted to reform and democratize the Democratic Party's nomination process, but ultimately faced setbacks.
- The tensions and power dynamics within the Democratic Party were laid bare during the 2016 primaries, with revelations of bias against the Bernie Sanders campaign.
- The future direction of the Democratic Party is uncertain, with no clear hegemonic control over the process.
- Progressive and socialist candidates face challenges in working within the Democratic Party structure, which is often controlled by establishment forces.
- The left must build its intellectual capacities, knowledge of history, and understanding of the capitalist state and political economy to navigate the complexities of engaging with the Democratic Party.
- Local and state-level elections may provide more opportunities for progressive and socialist candidates to gain representation within the Democratic Party structure.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think it is conceivable, yes, given the kind of organized organization that it is, that a strong left, a strong, independent left, could use the democratic party to turn votes into seats in office, but you cannot use the Democratic Party to build that left.“ by Adam Hilton
- “Donna Brazile suggests. Okay, well, this thing was rigged.“ by Adam Hilton
- “The Sanders insurgency would have been a blip, and they would have just soldiered on for the next four to eight years. And I think that would probably have taken a lot of the momentum out of the Sanders movement, if you want to call it that.“ by Adam Hilton
- “The reason we are litigating and relitigating the primaries and trying to divine their meaning is because the future of the democratic party is entirely unclear. And no one has hegemonic control over this process anymore.“ by Adam Hilton
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Episode Information
Dead Pundits Society
Dead Pundits Society
6/28/18