Feedback to Michael Baharaeen regarding "The New Class Politics"
TL;DR
Michael Baharaeen's recent article about the Democratic Party and the US elections analyzes the changing class identification with data-driven insights regarding the Democratic Party's transformation. However, its populist undertones and some myths oversimplify the role of elites in politics and misrepresent the broader reasons for social change. For example, both Democrats and Republicans have long served "elite interests.” Also, technological advances such as robotization and digitalization are reducing the "traditional" working class meaning, among other things, that the Democratic Party, just like other political parties worldwide, must recognize and adapt to such changes and their existential storytelling.
The co-writer of the Liberal Patriot blog, Michael Baharaeen, has recently published an analysis via The Persuasion regarding the Democratic Party and the US presidential elections. The text generally presents well-researched information and is commendable for its use of historical data, clear presentation of sociological trends, and ability to weave a coherent story about the realignment of American political coalitions. At the same time, parts of the conclusion lean into populist rhetoric and misplaced assumptions.
"Peoples vs Elites" mythology
For example, Baharaeen's framing of the Democratic Party as the "party of the elites" oversimplifies a more complex and pluralistic reality. As if the Republicans are not a party with elites or? Plus, elites are also part of a population or "the people." While the term "elite" often carries a negative connotation, it is crucial to differentiate between types of elites. Democratic, liberal, and globalist elites advocating for tolerance, human rights, and cooperation stand in stark contrast to nationalist, populist, and authoritarian elites who embrace exclusionary, discriminatory, and authoritarian policies. The question should not be whether elites dominate political parties but rather what values and visions those elites are promoting and practicing.
Historically, both major U.S. parties have served elite interests. The Democratic Party, despite its modern progressive image, has roots in the pro-slavery and segregationist South, reflecting the dominance of elite landowners in its early coalition. The Republican Party, too, has often prioritized business elites and agricultural protectionist networks. Recognizing this historical continuity is important to avoid romanticizing any party's past. What matters now is whether the Democratic Party can handle the new developments in the 21st century, such as the decentralization trend, including factors such as Web3, cryptocurrencies, and blockchains.
Technological Development and the Changes Among the Working Class Population
One of the article's most crucial points is its documentation of the Democratic Party's declining support among working-class “blue-collar” voters. This shift, however, should not be viewed solely as a failure of political messaging or coalition-building. Instead, it reflects more deep, complex, and structural changes in the economy and society, driven by digitalization, automation, and globalization. These developments have, in several sectors, such as the fishing industry, reduced the size and political salience of the traditional working class while giving rise to new socio-economic categories, such as the creative class and a more diverse middle class.
The notion of a static (“white”)working-class identity is increasingly outdated and anachronistic. As automation continues to reshape industries, many former blue-collar workers are transitioning into service-oriented or knowledge-based roles, changing their political choices. Focusing solely on reclaiming the older working-class voters risks ignoring the broader socio-economic transformations shaping voter behaviors.
The Future of Political Coalitions
Baharaeen's assertion that Democrats are at risk of electoral fragility without the working class is well-taken but incomplete. Political coalitions are dynamic, and as the working class diminishes in size, its political influence will similarly wane. The Democratic Party's ability to sustain itself should not be about "returning to its roots" but more of “creating new stories.”
As humans and technology are changing, so do our stories and identities. For instance, as working-class voters achieve upward mobility, they may adopt new political identities, potentially aligning with middle-class or creative-class priorities. This transition could create opportunities for third parties, such as the Green Party, to gain traction by addressing issues like climate change, technological ethics, and economic justice.
Moreover, Baharaeen's discussion of Donald Trump's gains among non-white voters and low-income households highlights a growing complexity in voter behavior. Rather than signifying a rejection of Democratic policies, these shifts may reflect dissatisfaction with the pace of change or the failure to address immediate economic concerns.
Broadening the Vision
To remain electorally viable and morally grounded, the Democratic Party could move beyond its “traditional bases” and embrace a vision incorporating the realities of a modern post-industrial and more post-material society. This includes fostering economic policies that address wealth inequality, such as providing a basic income guarantee while investing in education and infrastructure to prepare the workforce for a digital economy.
Simultaneously, the party must continue championing democratic values and global cooperation, positioning itself as a bulwark against the rise of authoritarian populism. It is not enough to be a patriot, not even a liberal patriot when it comes to Trump and populism, but to be a globally minded individual who can co-create actions and more decentrlaised solutions through initiatives such as civic assemblies and initiatives.
Concluding Reflections
Baharaeen's call for the Democrats to reclaim their working-class identity is well-intentioned but may be misplaced and seen as politics of nostalgia. Instead, the party could focus on creating a coalition that transcends class lines, uniting voters around shared goals of equity, sustainability, and democratic integrity by focusing on decentralized methods such as civic assemblies and initiatives. By doing so, the Democrats can position themselves as a party not of a particular class but of a forward-looking and inclusive sustainable society.
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