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Populism

Populism

Electoral politicsPodcastPopulismTake Action

You’ve seen the ads on network TV:Huge data centers bringing life to hollowed out communities. But the reality is these huge projects suck electricity and water and provide virtually no lasting jobs. Not just people on the left but people

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EconomyElectoral politicsFiscal PolicyPodcastPopulism

It’s a long term necessity, but tragically, short term policy-makers put off a solution essential to a strong economy and restoration of our republican form of government. As of today, both the economy and democracy are in a downward spiral.

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A grand, ancient city in flames during sunset with crowds and ruins.
Civil LibertiesCultureFascism on the RiseHistory That Matters NowPodcastPopulism

At the nearly two hundred fifty year mark, we’ve already lasted longer than most great nations. As with others which declined and fell, a loss of confidence led to anxiety and the impulse for a strong man to protect us

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Four books about war and American history on a table.
Electoral politicsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

There is in fact a lush garden of American greatness and it is not MAGA. Though less well known, there is a proud history of successful dissent which does make America great. Military power and straight white male domination is

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A detailed red-toned sketch of a young woman and an older man.
EuropePodcastPopulism

England’s Labour Party is a lot like America’s Democratic Party: all over the map. Both used to be the party of laboring people. The UK’s current PM Kier Starmer won claiming to be of the left. Now he’s pushing an

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A man in a suit smiling with arms crossed on a city street.
DemocratsElectoral politicsHistory That Matters NowPodcastPopulismSocialism

After 2024, the mainstream of the Democratic Party is in the wilderness, but Zohran Mamdani may lead a way out. This week’s guest Fred Glass, talks about what early 20th century California history can teach us about the 2025 New

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Book cover titled 'Outclassed' about the working class and winning them back.
DemocratsElectoral politicsPodcastPopulismTrump

What mainstream Democrats don’t understand is that anti-elites are economically progressive, while the elites are economically conservative. NYCs Mamdani won the primary by building an economic coalition. On this show, Joan C. Williams talks about her important new book, Outclassed.

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A child with arms raised triumphantly against a dramatic sky.
DemocratsElectoral politicsPodcastPopulism

In the 90s, the party took a turn to the right, taking the working and middle class base for granted. Instead they went for Trump in 2024. Clinton hurt this former base with austerity, and poorly thought out welfare reform

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Donald Trump giving a thumbs up with an industrial backdrop.
EconomyElectoral politicsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

Starting a trade war is just stupid. But maybe Trump simply doesn’t really care about tanking the economy. On this show, Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher points out that the current president appears to be trying to steer America

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Protester holding "We Are the 99%" sign.
Electoral politicsJusticePodcastPopulismProtests & ResistanceTrump

You may have noticed a continuing trend of Democratic candidates sheepishly rushing to some imaginary center, and how well that hasn’t worked! On this show, Richard Eskow, former head writer for the Bernie 2016 campaign explains how it seems candidates

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Illustration promoting a 1999 documentary on low culture's impact in America.
CultureElectoral politicsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

When did politics and trash TV become one in the same? According to author Ross Benes, no question: it was the 1990s. As one reviewer said: “this book helps to explain the election of Donald Trump in ways that most

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Logo of The New Republic magazine in bold white letters on black.
DemocratsElectoral politicsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

Democrats seem to always pay attention to the top, the federal races. But what worked for the right wing in 2010 can work for us: Our guest Eric Schmeltzer writes, in The New Republic, that to take power away from

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Book cover titled 'What It Took to Win' about the Democratic Party's history.
DemocratsPodcastPopulism

Populism is the common language of America. Author and Georgetown University historian Michael Kazin notes people were not inspired by Harris’s “opportunity economy” talk. People feel disconnected and want a sense of membership, a sense of power, which unions used

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Portraits of six influential tech industry leaders.
DemocratsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

Playing defense defines the playing field. Shall we just accept a world run by international mega-billionaires? On this show, Sam Pizzigati of Inequality.org argues now is the time to get ready to go on offense against what Trump Musk and

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Man standing next to a sign about electoral success strategies.
DemocratsPodcastPopulism

In the wake of the shocking presidential election, we Democrats now have an opportunity and an obligation. Once again, the heartland of America saw the Democratic Party as two-coast elitists. Our guest today, veteran political organizer Bob Creamer says despite

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Book cover titled 'Democracy Awakening' by Heather Cox Richardson.
History That Matters NowPodcastPopulismTrump

In a democracy, we expect to have our own say over how we are governed. There’s a great grumbling throughout America because many don’t feel listened to. That’s the impetus behind today’s Trumpist populism. This populism is the voice of

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Book cover titled 'Nuts and Bolts' about progressive electoral success.
DemocratsPodcastPopulismTake Action

As Americans, we want what we want right now. But it doesn’t work that way to make real political change. As with any mechanism, there are certain things that must be learned to make it work and achieve our goals.

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People demand change while money balances the scale.
DemocratsFiscal PolicyPodcastPopulism

It may have the word “liberal” in it but it’s anything but. Until the Biden/Harris years, the corporate wing of the Democratic Party had its deserved image of serving the richest among us. Trump understood raw populist anger to win

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A cheerful man holding a small piglet indoors.
DemocratsPodcastPopulism

Since at least 2016, the Democratic policy has been driven by big contributors, yielding rural voters to Trump who at least pretended to hear them. With Minnesota Governor Tim Walz nominated as VP for Harris, middle America people who had

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USA text filled with American flag design.
DemocratsPodcastPopulism

There is a palpable movement under Kamala Harris; so why is party leadership still so out of touch with working people as they were in 2016? Our returning guest, veteran party insider Norman Solomon, says the DNC is still top-down

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Close-up of a woman with a book cover partially visible beside her.
Civil LibertiesFascism on the RisePodcastPopulismReligionTrump

As Trump heads into the 2024 campaign, you might wonder who is behind it, who benefits from destroying our republic. Here is the story. The religious nationalists see him as a fierce leader. They believe God sends such kings to

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Fascism on the RiseInternational NewsPodcastPopulism

In phase one of French elections, the far right of Marine LePen did very well, winning about a third of the total. The next and crucial vote is July 7. According to on-the-ground reporter, Oliver Haynes, President Macron is likely

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Book cover of Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson with a blue and yellow gradient background.
History That Matters NowPodcastPopulism

In a democracy, we expect to have our own say over how we are governed. There’s a great grumbling throughout America because many don’t feel listened to.  That’s the impetus behind today’s Trumpist populism. This populism is the voice of

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Black and white graphic saying 'TAX THE RICH' with a top hat design.
JusticePodcastPopulism

Across the United States there is tremendous support for a taxing the wealthiest among us. So why doesn’t it happen? Well, in Massachusetts, it has. As Inequality.org’s Sam Pizzigati explains in this segment, there was powerful resistance  to the new

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Civil LibertiesDemocratsFascism on the RisePodcastPopulism

The final chapter in our guest’s new book, Liberalism as a Way of Life asks the question: Requiem for a Liberal Way of Life? Well, is it really over? Reached in Sydney Australia where he’s professor of politics and philosophy

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A color-coded regional map of Wisconsin showing Northwest, Southwest, Central, Southeast, and East areas.
DemocratsPodcastPopulism

Wisconsin is a key swing state in the upcoming election, with traditions of both real right and real left. On today’s show on-the-ground journalist Christina Lieffring tells us about realities in that 90% rural state. She says to win voters,

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Cover of 'Whistle-Stop Politics' featuring a historic crowd scene and train.
DemocratsPodcastPopulismPresident Biden

Truman was down and nearly out. Then he did a campaign whistle stop tour of America and beat the odds. TV eye candy is one thing but seeing a president in the flesh connects far better, and connection is needed

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Book cover of "Founders' Fortunes" about money shaping America.
EconomyHistory That Matters NowPodcastPopulism

It’s basic to the very essence of America. On this show Constitutional Law Professor John O. McGinnis argues that commerce was the mother’s milk of the American Revolution and that the virtues of commerce and idealism need not conflict. Listen

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Aerial view of a city with bold text about local forces and red matters.
CulturePodcastPopulismPresident Biden

Most of us can guess but there’s nothing like serious scientific research when it comes to understanding political change. In her forthcoming book  How the Heartland Went Red, Harvard’s Stephanie Termullo shares her findings from extensive field research in three

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Union workers rallying with UAW strike signs in a crowded street.
JusticePodcastPopulismRacism

Politicians know the consequences of voters being ignored.There are tens of millions of people who used to be middle class but a revived Poor People’s Campaign just may connect and inspire. According to today’s guest, campaign policy director Shailly Gupta

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