"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg Progressivism: Past, Present, Future
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Oct 23, 2024 Dive into the fascinating evolution of American progressivism, exploring its origins and potential resurgence in the 2030s. Discover the contrasting dynamics between grassroots activism and AstroTurf movements, with insights on movements like Fight for 15 and Black Lives Matter. Reflect on the Me Too movement's impact on social change and the challenges it faces. Finally, unpack the need for progressivism to prioritize class issues, and envision a future where historical activism informs today's political landscape.
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Marx and the 1848 Revolutions
- Smith uses the example of Karl Marx and the 1848 revolutions to illustrate how intellectuals often follow grassroots movements.
- Marx provided a framework for the revolutionaries, crystallizing their class resentments.
Codifying Progressive Ideas
- Thinkers like Elizabeth Warren codified progressive ideas, focusing heavily on strengthening unions and regulating finance.
- Specific policy goals, like "Fight for 15," are often astroturfed by wealthy individuals.
Astroturf vs. Grassroots
- Smith contrasts astroturfed movements with grassroots movements like Black Lives Matter.
- He points out that many self-proclaimed BLM organizations were unaffiliated with the actual activists.