Rethinking the Democratic Party
The series I wrote on creating a resurgent Democratic Party
Right now, the entire Democratic Party — not just the left, not just the progressive wing, but the mainstream as well — is just banging their heads against a wall. They know that the party, as currently configured, can’t win a majority in the Senate. And they know that without a majority in the Senate, they can’t defend democracy and they can’t pass progressive policy.
To meet the challenges of our time, we must do more than refine our messaging or rally behind stronger candidates. We need a fundamental transformation — a redefinition of what the party stands for. In the below series, I share my vision for a revitalized Democratic Party, one that dares to rethink its priorities and reconnect with the people it serves.
Others may have different ideas, and that’s welcome. But until new solutions emerge, here’s my take on how we can rebuild, reenergize, and reimagine the future of the party.
The Gathering Storm
The zeitgeist isn’t just shifting - it’s fracturing. As I argued in my post, The Zeitgeist Is Changing, we’re not merely in a turbulent election cycle; we’re in a historical crisis that could forge or break America for generations. Strauss’ & Howe’s
Our Self-Inflicted Wounds
Comfort, conformity, and a disconnect from everyday Americans are crippling the Democratic Party. It's time for a reckoning with outdated structures and personnel.
Peering Through the Fog
Predicting the future is a fool's errand, but understanding the forces at play – the decline of American exceptionalism, the fate of oligarchs, economic realities, and the AI wildcard – is crucial for long-term strategy.
What Do People Really Want
Beyond the daily outrage, deep human needs for community, stability, agency, and fairness are driving the political turbulence. The current political "warfare" isn't just a surface-level disagreement over policy points; it's fueled by deeper, often unarticulated, human desires and anxieties.
The New Democratic Party: Governing Lightly, Building Boldly
What the Democratic Party stands for today struggles to win a majority in this country. This requires a radical revision of the foundational philosophy of the party. Not just a tweaking of policies or a better messaging strategy, but a return to a core idea: What is the purpose of government?
A New Democratic Playbook
To build a dominant coalition, Democrats must offer pragmatic solutions that resonate with the deep desires for fairness, stability, agency, and community that define our turbulent times. And by definition, this means a very different Democratic Party.
"And they know that without a majority in the Senate, they can’t defend democracy and they can’t pass progressive policy"
That made me laugh - democracy is preventing them from defending democracy.
I think the Abundance model holds some promise. Democrats have for far too long been infected with the "limits of growth" philosophy of California, which has been a disaster.
But there is something else. Progressivism is often performative. It's about how the policies make you feel, and how they make others see you. It's often not about the practical costs or results of those policies.
Defending criminal non-citizens from deportation. Why exactly is this a hill Dems want to die on? Sure, the dreamers - I'll happily protest to prevent their deportation. But Tren de Aqua gang members? Is this even a real conversation we are having?
Or on Energy - I very much want green energy. I also, very much want energy costs to be low. Not because it matters to me, but so that poor people can afford heating and air conditioning. So, they can afford to drive places. So that prices for things they need are low.
Any reaction to what the Colorado Democratic Party is already doing?
https://www.coloradodems.org/the-road-ahead
https://www.coloradodems.org/asc
Or the first steps of the Democratic National Committee to revitalize the state parties?
https://democrats.org/news/dnc-announces-targeted-electoral-investments-in-all-57-states-and-territories-this-cycle/