Adam, in your comparison of Germany to the US, I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t include the Communist Party’s 3rd period, “social democracy is social fascism” phase, which arguably precluded a popular front strategy, which later had some success in Europe. US Democrats cannot agree on strategy. I would say in recent years, there is typically no effective party leader who is not also president. And Democrats cannot agree on strategy. Congressional leaders seem to believe Trumpism will collapse on its own, a view in line with Carville’s, Firebrands, many of whom are younger, and either in safe districts or are unelected, prefer to focus on disciplining Democratic moderates. Perhaps the ineffectiveness of the opposition is a reflection of the inability to agree on how best to confront Trump. Many believe, fairly I think, that voters were disinclined to punish Trump for his violations of democratic norms and therefore it’s a mistake to focus on those. Better to emphasize the bread and butter issues. Others believe it’s possible to oppose abrogations of civil rights and liberties, etc. as well. What role might the absence of a unified opposition play, if any? And belated Happy Birthday, by the way. I too hope this is not the end of your highly valuable diary. Antoine
Thanks for maintaining this diary for as long as you have and for your insights. It's understandable that you will step back from it, for your sanity. Look forward to reading more thoughts from you when you feel fortified.
I'm sorry you're stopping but totally get how burdensome it is, in lots of ways, and grateful for what you've done. Like you, watching football is my distraction, I've been a Gooner for nearly 60 years. Here's to next season and the next stage in the project.
Dr Przeworski, I was overjoyed to find that you are still publishing your thoughts. Your work was inspirational to me during my career and I'm pleased that I have a chance to express my thanks for your efforts.
"Enjoy" probably feels inappropriate to express one's feelings when reading about events in the US, so I'll say that I deeply appreciate your insights. You might feel angry (because you have eyes and a brain), but you always help me to think differently and more clearly about the issues. Do whatever is best for you, keep following soccer (that is redundant with the advice "do what is best"), and let's hope that entering some thoughts from time to time in this diary still feels like an appropriate thing to do in the future.
Adam, I would be sad to see your diary go, but I understand the exhaustion. I too watched the demise of the Arsenal last week on top of the overwhelming stream of bad news. Your diary at least gives me hope. The Enlightenment was built on records such as this one, shared amongst private individuals, eventually becoming public goods. The only thing that can defeat the likes of Trump is a culture of honesty and shared benevolence. There is no Defoe without Pepys. I regularly find that here, and I share it with my wife and friends. More Polish proverbs please.
"His analysis is that the German bourgeoisie did fear Hitler but feared the Communists even more." The same can be said regarding the support for the Milei government. They fear Kirchnerism even more, which also explains why Milei needs to polarize with Cristina Kirchner.
Thanks for your post. I'm worried that you're overlooking the possibility that "whatever MAGA wants" is effectively the destruction of capacities globally for billionaire and criminal regulation. Our significant (again global) cooperative successes in blocking e.g. money laundering and child porn have been at least partly reversed using digital technologies, but these guys still resent remaining frictions, and probably also fear justice whenever they see a politician, gangster, or other elite go to jail.
If you want to see the future of the US, you might want to look at the UK right now. After Conservatives spent a decade flaying the UK's state capacities, Labour – despite coming in with an enormous mandate – seem unable to do anything but follow in the paths the Conservatives set both domestically and in terms of foreign policy. Presumably due to absence of these capacities. The UK is still a sizeable economy even though it hammered itself pretty hard with Brexit. But it is not acting like it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Adam, in your comparison of Germany to the US, I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t include the Communist Party’s 3rd period, “social democracy is social fascism” phase, which arguably precluded a popular front strategy, which later had some success in Europe. US Democrats cannot agree on strategy. I would say in recent years, there is typically no effective party leader who is not also president. And Democrats cannot agree on strategy. Congressional leaders seem to believe Trumpism will collapse on its own, a view in line with Carville’s, Firebrands, many of whom are younger, and either in safe districts or are unelected, prefer to focus on disciplining Democratic moderates. Perhaps the ineffectiveness of the opposition is a reflection of the inability to agree on how best to confront Trump. Many believe, fairly I think, that voters were disinclined to punish Trump for his violations of democratic norms and therefore it’s a mistake to focus on those. Better to emphasize the bread and butter issues. Others believe it’s possible to oppose abrogations of civil rights and liberties, etc. as well. What role might the absence of a unified opposition play, if any? And belated Happy Birthday, by the way. I too hope this is not the end of your highly valuable diary. Antoine
Thank you.
Thanks for maintaining this diary for as long as you have and for your insights. It's understandable that you will step back from it, for your sanity. Look forward to reading more thoughts from you when you feel fortified.
I'm sorry you're stopping but totally get how burdensome it is, in lots of ways, and grateful for what you've done. Like you, watching football is my distraction, I've been a Gooner for nearly 60 years. Here's to next season and the next stage in the project.
Thank you.
We cannot win the league without a center forward. Hopefully, ....
Dr Przeworski, I was overjoyed to find that you are still publishing your thoughts. Your work was inspirational to me during my career and I'm pleased that I have a chance to express my thanks for your efforts.
Thank you.
Take care of yourself. I’ve enjoyed reading your diary.
Your analysis is centered on the US, of course. Do you think there might occur external events that influence the course of events in the US?
Normally external events affect little US politics. But some people did not vote for Harris because of Biden's stance on Gaza.
"Enjoy" probably feels inappropriate to express one's feelings when reading about events in the US, so I'll say that I deeply appreciate your insights. You might feel angry (because you have eyes and a brain), but you always help me to think differently and more clearly about the issues. Do whatever is best for you, keep following soccer (that is redundant with the advice "do what is best"), and let's hope that entering some thoughts from time to time in this diary still feels like an appropriate thing to do in the future.
Thanks again.
Adam, I would be sad to see your diary go, but I understand the exhaustion. I too watched the demise of the Arsenal last week on top of the overwhelming stream of bad news. Your diary at least gives me hope. The Enlightenment was built on records such as this one, shared amongst private individuals, eventually becoming public goods. The only thing that can defeat the likes of Trump is a culture of honesty and shared benevolence. There is no Defoe without Pepys. I regularly find that here, and I share it with my wife and friends. More Polish proverbs please.
"His analysis is that the German bourgeoisie did fear Hitler but feared the Communists even more." The same can be said regarding the support for the Milei government. They fear Kirchnerism even more, which also explains why Milei needs to polarize with Cristina Kirchner.
Thanks for your post. I'm worried that you're overlooking the possibility that "whatever MAGA wants" is effectively the destruction of capacities globally for billionaire and criminal regulation. Our significant (again global) cooperative successes in blocking e.g. money laundering and child porn have been at least partly reversed using digital technologies, but these guys still resent remaining frictions, and probably also fear justice whenever they see a politician, gangster, or other elite go to jail.
If you want to see the future of the US, you might want to look at the UK right now. After Conservatives spent a decade flaying the UK's state capacities, Labour – despite coming in with an enormous mandate – seem unable to do anything but follow in the paths the Conservatives set both domestically and in terms of foreign policy. Presumably due to absence of these capacities. The UK is still a sizeable economy even though it hammered itself pretty hard with Brexit. But it is not acting like it.