Liberalism’s unfinished agenda. By Michael Lind. Salon, January 22, 2013.
Lind:
American
liberalism (or “progressivism,” as it is called by those embarrassed to use the
L-word) has always been characterized by its commitment to reform in two areas:
caste and class. Think about caste as rules restricting those allowed to play
the game, and class as the rules of the game itself. The project of American
liberalism is to allow everybody to play — and everybody to win, at least at
the level of a decent minimum.
In
combating the injustices of caste and class, American liberals find what allies
they can. On caste issues like nativism, racism and discrimination on the basis
of gender and sexual orientation, American liberals often find allies among
libertarians who do not share their commitment to a fairer and more inclusive
economic system. On class issues like generous public retirement and health and
unemployment insurance programs, American liberals often find allies among
populists who may at the same time be nativist, racist and hostile to gays and
lesbians.
. . . . . . . . . .
Barack
Obama has secured his place in American liberal history, in the tradition of
the two Roosevelts and Johnson. By the time he leaves office, America’s caste
system will have shrunk and its safety net will have expanded. But plenty of
work will remain to be done by American liberals, in opportunistic alliances
with libertarians, populists and enlightened conservatives.
