People on the Left are understandably preoccupied with the growing strength of fascism, white supremacist and antisemitic rhetoric and violence, and the growth of extreme right-wing groups. There is no doubt that these developments represent an obstacle to badly needed social and economic change and a serious threat to democracy in the United States, but we may be losing track of a more encouraging countertrend (depending a bit on one’s particular politics). We are living though a socialist upsurge which continues to grow. In fact, it is likely that there is not only a connection between the two phenomena, but also that the health of American democracy depends on the development of a vigorous left-wing movement that is willing and able to confront the upsurge from the Right. Continue reading
