Post election crisis: Political strategies for the future
The 2016 election was unusual; a singular event in America’s political history. It has produced political uncertainty, which could lead to social chaos. The nation could become ungovernable. There has been a loss of ideological grounding and radical imagination among left and progressive forces. Psychological despair abounds .The interpretations of this moment span the political and ideological spectrum. The neoliberal managerial elites have fallen into despair, proclaiming Trump’s victory as the onset of fascism. A good part of the left argues that Clinton’s defeat was a “whitelash”; white people reacting violently against their perceived loss of white privilege. This argument focuses especially upon the white poor and working class. Others on the left have descended into political hysteria, abandoning all notions of strategic organizing, or coming forward with a vision for the future and programs and tactics to achieve it. The case of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is critical to understanding the lack of direction in the left. In her case, and certainly beyond her, there are indications that a good part of the left is being organized and financed by liberals, foundations and neoliberal managerial elites. There are those on the left who have fallen in line behind the ideological and political aims of the elite. There is among many a return to lesser of two evils politics. The question inevitably arises, is the reform of the Democratic Party and lesser of two evilism appropriate strategies for this time? Or more directly, can the Democratic Party be reformed? Can the neoliberals, representatives of Wall Street and the war makers be driven from the party? Can it be taken over by the people?
This session seeks to clarify just what was the 2016 election about, what is its meaning for the nation and the world; what is the way forward and how does race, class, gender and other factors play into the analysis of this moment and the future. It seeks to untangle the roots and substance of multiple interpretations and proposals for struggle. Questions regarding class, class conflict, anti-white supremacy and class unity will be paramount. Where are the Black working masses and poor at this moment, and what is the status of the Black misleadership class? Can Black working people rise to assume their historic role in the vanguard of radical socio-economic change and for peace? Can the people produce the leaders we need? Is there a looming rebellion within the ranks of organized labor against the labor misleaders? Can parties like the Greens be vehicles for anti-corporate and anti racist electoral strategies; or do we need a new mass oppositional party? The session will attempt to investigate the role that anti-working class and anti poor people ‘s rhetoric and ideas play as obstacles to political organizing. Going forward, what is the future of the Black, Latina/o, and working class misleaders? And finally, what is fascism? Have we entered or are near actual fascism?
Above all else this session will attempt to chart a strategic and tactical way forward. And how will principled unity of the people be built.
This session seeks to clarify just what was the 2016 election about, what is its meaning for the nation and the world; what is the way forward and how does race, class, gender and other factors play into the analysis of this moment and the future. It seeks to untangle the roots and substance of multiple interpretations and proposals for struggle. Questions regarding class, class conflict, anti-white supremacy and class unity will be paramount. Where are the Black working masses and poor at this moment, and what is the status of the Black misleadership class? Can Black working people rise to assume their historic role in the vanguard of radical socio-economic change and for peace? Can the people produce the leaders we need? Is there a looming rebellion within the ranks of organized labor against the labor misleaders? Can parties like the Greens be vehicles for anti-corporate and anti racist electoral strategies; or do we need a new mass oppositional party? The session will attempt to investigate the role that anti-working class and anti poor people ‘s rhetoric and ideas play as obstacles to political organizing. Going forward, what is the future of the Black, Latina/o, and working class misleaders? And finally, what is fascism? Have we entered or are near actual fascism?
Above all else this session will attempt to chart a strategic and tactical way forward. And how will principled unity of the people be built.