Liberalism is Dead and The Progressive Left is here (1 Viewer)

[The Other Liberal]

Procedural Liberalism that undergirds our democracy is in serious trouble. But it endures. However, the kind of reformist political Liberalism that tamed capitalism, created the welfare state, and responded to demands for greater social equality is dead. It may have a few supporters among intellectuals in academia or writers like E.J. Dionne at the Washington Post. There is no Liberalism that drives politics and public policy to address contemporary problems. There are various conflicting explanations for the demise of Liberalism. Some argue it went too far in the 1960s with civil rights and antipoverty programs which alienated whites. Others will say Liberals have become arrogant elitists who look down their nose at ordinary Americans while supporting a globalized information/finance economy with open borders that has destroyed the middle class and American culture. Social Conservatives claim Liberal individualism has undermined religious faith, traditional morality, and commitment to family that human beings need. Which view is correct? Is there a degree of truth in all these claims?

I think the appearance of a more left leaning Progressivism is just as important as what killed center left Liberalism. How do Progressives differ from Liberals? Progressives believe in government action to improve society and move it forward. They're always concerned about a different program or regulation to accomplish their goal. Some Progressives are Democratic Socialists who oppose capitalism. Moreover, progressives value direct engagement by the people whether it's voting or activism. Liberals believe ensuring individual freedom is the central goal of politics. We believe in certain limits on government while embracing some government action to protect and enhance individual freedom. And liberals value social improvement too when it advances individual freedom. Of course, all of this complicated by the fact that many otherwise Liberals used call themselves Progressive due to right wing demonization of Liberalism. However, at some point Progressivism has become more than a matter of semantics.

All this unfortunate because I still identify with Liberalism which has never been all it should or could be. Yet I think Liberal values and instincts are correct. The good Liberalism has done when we think about The New Deal and Great Society is crucial. But there isn't going to be revival of Liberal reformism. The Progressive left is here, and if it can effectively address the decline of middle America, secure racial justice, reduce carbon emissions, close the gender pay gap, and keep us moving towards LGBTQ equality that's a reason to be hopeful.

 

[SamAndreas]

Drawing from another thread where you said:

"In some ways you're onto a good point. However that part about empathy troubles me. I don't want suggest conservatives are selfish. But I will admit it's tempting when you consider how they have responded to Covid 19. You're really making me think....lol !"

That brings to forefront an issue which I think is fouling our movement. Many of ours are currently feeling frustration and in responding to that frustration are moving away from what sets us apart from Conservatives. What I'm speaking of is this tendency to oppose the right in a way which undermines who we are in that essential sense.

Many of our side are indulging in the kind of hate, to oppose that same kind of hate, that the other side is inflicting upon us. I feel that is counter productive at its core. When they go low we should continue to go high and never cease. When they are being more exclusive we should stubbornly continue to be more inclusive despite all, because that's who we are at our core.

Love thy neighbor even if they are conservatives who distress you, do not succumb to the temptation to hate them, for if you do you will be become more like them, less like us. Resist that temptation to slip down that slippery slope of exclusion.

Dog it, continue to reach out to conservatives even if it feels like it is hopeless task. I can tell from your post in that other thread where you discuss what is troubling that you know that you are on the right path, please continue down that path, for I have your back.

 

[The Other Liberal]

Drawing from another thread where you said:

"In some ways you're onto a good point. However that part about empathy troubles me. I don't want suggest conservatives are selfish. But I will admit it's tempting when you consider how they have responded to Covid 19. You're really making me think....lol !"

That brings to forefront an issue which I think is fouling our movement. Many of ours are currently feeling frustration and in responding to that frustration are moving away from what sets us apart from Conservatives. What I'm speaking of is this tendency to oppose the right in a way which undermines who we are in that essential sense.

Many of our side are indulging in the kind of hate, to oppose that same kind of hate, that the other side is inflicting upon us. I feel that is counter productive at its core. When they go low we should continue to go high and never cease. When they are being more exclusive we should stubbornly continue to be more inclusive despite all, because that's who we are at our core.

Love thy neighbor even if they are conservatives who distress you, do not succumb to the temptation to hate them, for if you do you will be become more like them, less like us. Resist that temptation to slip down that slippery slope of exclusion.

Dog it, continue to reach out to conservatives even if it feels like it is hopeless task. I can tell from your post in that other thread where you discuss what is troubling that you know that you are on the right path, please continue down that path, for I have your back.

Thanks so much for your response and encouragement. I think we can disagree with those on the political Right, and they need to be held accountable for what they say and do. Politics is about conflict in a constructive sense. Those of us who want social change must fight to win while recognizing we will often lose. Please check out my post A Progressive Politics for Reactionary Times. But this doesn't mean conservatives are bad and liberals are good. It certainly doesn't mean we can't be friends or should sacrifice family relationships. Our lives and happiness not just democracy depend on that.

 

[SamAndreas]

Thanks so much for your response and encouragement. I think we can disagree with those on the political Right, and they need to be held accountable for what they say and do. Politics is about conflict in a constructive sense. Those of us who want social change must fight to win while recognizing we will often lose. Please check out my post A Progressive Politics for Reactionary Times. But this doesn't mean conservatives are bad and liberals are good. It certainly doesn't mean we can't be friends or should sacrifice family relationships. Our lives and happiness not just democracy depend on that.

Well stated!