Once again, Democrats are dealing with the S-word. Socialism. Not the economic theory. Not the Marxian doctrine. Not state ownership of the means of production. Nothing nearly so intellectual. No, they’re dealing with the word itself, and this time it’s not Republicans using it as a bludgeon to beat Democrats into submission, though that will certainly continue, probably forever. Rather, it’s Democratic candidates embracing one of the most politically charged words in the English language. This is not a risk-free proposition, and I hope they know what they’re doing. In the last few years, New York City has emerged as ground zero for a new brand of progressivism that labels itself socialist, but really isn’t. It’s more related to the social democrats of Europe, which is to say it’s about capitalism with regulatory guardrails and, presumably, a social conscience. Starting with the election of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018, and her sweeping asi...
Life and Politics in the Age of Covid