for introducing me and for inviting me to speak thank you all for taking the
to speak thank you all for taking the
to speak thank you all for taking the time out of this virtual Sunday to talk
time out of this virtual Sunday to talk
time out of this virtual Sunday to talk about such a grim topic as the new
about such a grim topic as the new
about such a grim topic as the new reality that we find ourselves facing
reality that we find ourselves facing
reality that we find ourselves facing I’ve been doing a fair amount of poetry
I’ve been doing a fair amount of poetry
I’ve been doing a fair amount of poetry in recent years because they were a
in recent years because they were a
in recent years because they were a little book on Barack Obama that led to
little book on Barack Obama that led to
little book on Barack Obama that led to a fair number of op-eds and Ira not be
a fair number of op-eds and Ira not be
a fair number of op-eds and Ira not be headed for the Washington Post after the
headed for the Washington Post after the
headed for the Washington Post after the trunk inauguration I was astonished at
trunk inauguration I was astonished at
trunk inauguration I was astonished at how many hundreds of responses there
how many hundreds of responses there
how many hundreds of responses there were two that bull Abed and now i know
were two that bull Abed and now i know
were two that bull Abed and now i know from buyer that most of them were
from buyer that most of them were
from buyer that most of them were probably not persons not responding i
probably not persons not responding i
probably not persons not responding i wouldn’t comfortable level of
wouldn’t comfortable level of
wouldn’t comfortable level of intelligence that was to show what i
intelligence that was to show what i
intelligence that was to show what i would like to do today actually those
would like to do today actually those
would like to do today actually those not to talk so much about our current
not to talk so much about our current
not to talk so much about our current going to go a little bit to talk about
going to go a little bit to talk about
going to go a little bit to talk about the president but to try to place it in
the president but to try to place it in
the president but to try to place it in a longer historical context i should say
a longer historical context i should say
a longer historical context i should say first place I didn’t know this
first place I didn’t know this
first place I didn’t know this photograph was in the public domain when
photograph was in the public domain when
photograph was in the public domain when the Obama book gave out the photographer
the Obama book gave out the photographer
the Obama book gave out the photographer took a whole bunch of photos of me this
took a whole bunch of photos of me this
took a whole bunch of photos of me this was one of my least favorites but I
was one of my least favorites but I
was one of my least favorites but I guess maybe I’m looking toward democracy
guess maybe I’m looking toward democracy
guess maybe I’m looking toward democracy they’re not a moment when they look
they’re not a moment when they look
they’re not a moment when they look right now this book our democracy is a
right now this book our democracy is a
right now this book our democracy is a 900-page monster obviously I’m not gonna
900-page monster obviously I’m not gonna
900-page monster obviously I’m not gonna be able to go through much of it but I
be able to go through much of it but I
be able to go through much of it but I want to give you the bare bones of the
want to give you the bare bones of the
want to give you the bare bones of the argument about what I think a democracy
argument about what I think a democracy
argument about what I think a democracy requires it’s a book that starts in the
requires it’s a book that starts in the
requires it’s a book that starts in the ancient world and carries forward into
ancient world and carries forward into
ancient world and carries forward into the 20th century and drawing from that
the 20th century and drawing from that
the 20th century and drawing from that the principles that a fully realized
the principles that a fully realized
the principles that a fully realized democracy would show you get an outline
democracy would show you get an outline
democracy would show you get an outline of where I think the United States has
of where I think the United States has
of where I think the United States has been heading ever since the 1760s and I
been heading ever since the 1760s and I
been heading ever since the 1760s and I then you get a sense of the reasons why
then you get a sense of the reasons why
then you get a sense of the reasons why we have reason to worry that we’re now
we have reason to worry that we’re now
we have reason to worry that we’re now moving away from democracy rather than
moving away from democracy rather than
moving away from democracy rather than toward democracy so those
toward democracy so those
toward democracy so those characteristics of a democracy are of
characteristics of a democracy are of
characteristics of a democracy are of three kinds institutions principles and
three kinds institutions principles and
three kinds institutions principles and what I think requires a little bit of
what I think requires a little bit of
what I think requires a little bit of attention because it is too seldom
attention because it is too seldom
attention because it is too seldom recognized as part of democracy the
recognized as part of democracy the
recognized as part of democracy the underlying cultural predispositions are
underlying cultural predispositions are
underlying cultural predispositions are the pillars on which democracy rests the
the pillars on which democracy rests the
the pillars on which democracy rests the institutions are familiar to all
institutions are familiar to all
institutions are familiar to all constitutional government with rule of
constitutional government with rule of
constitutional government with rule of law elected officials free and fair
law elected officials free and fair
law elected officials free and fair elections and just mentioning those few
elections and just mentioning those few
elections and just mentioning those few characteristics those institutions
characteristics those institutions
characteristics those institutions suggest to us good thrust of don’t Trump
suggest to us good thrust of don’t Trump
suggest to us good thrust of don’t Trump of this candidate and as president it
of this candidate and as president it
of this candidate and as president it was clear during the debates that he was
was clear during the debates that he was
was clear during the debates that he was a man who did not understand the
a man who did not understand the
a man who did not understand the Constitution perhaps had never read the
Constitution perhaps had never read the
Constitution perhaps had never read the Constitution what I like to say in
Constitution what I like to say in
Constitution what I like to say in advance of his election was he may not
advance of his election was he may not
advance of his election was he may not understand the Constitution but the
understand the Constitution but the
understand the Constitution but the Constitution understands him and the
Constitution understands him and the
Constitution understands him and the independent judiciary the guarantees
independent judiciary the guarantees
independent judiciary the guarantees that are provided by the separation of
that are provided by the separation of
that are provided by the separation of powers in government all suggest that
powers in government all suggest that
powers in government all suggest that even though he said he would only
even though he said he would only
even though he said he would only respect the results of the election if
respect the results of the election if
respect the results of the election if he won the Constitution actually ensures
he won the Constitution actually ensures
he won the Constitution actually ensures that government official
that government official
that government official are required to obey the law whether
are required to obey the law whether
are required to obey the law whether they would like to or not the principles
they would like to or not the principles
they would like to or not the principles are ideals toward which democracy points
are ideals toward which democracy points
are ideals toward which democracy points I think are fairly familiar to us
I think are fairly familiar to us
I think are fairly familiar to us popular sovereignty the idea that all
popular sovereignty the idea that all
popular sovereignty the idea that all authority is vested in the people and
authority is vested in the people and
authority is vested in the people and derives from the people the idea of
derives from the people the idea of
derives from the people the idea of autonomy which I prefer to the idea of
autonomy which I prefer to the idea of
autonomy which I prefer to the idea of Liberty because it’s not free to do
Liberty because it’s not free to do
Liberty because it’s not free to do whatever the hell you feel like doing
whatever the hell you feel like doing
whatever the hell you feel like doing it’s the freedom to obey the law freedom
it’s the freedom to obey the law freedom
it’s the freedom to obey the law freedom to internalize the restraints that are
to internalize the restraints that are
to internalize the restraints that are necessary in any government of laws and
necessary in any government of laws and
necessary in any government of laws and finally equality of the United States
finally equality of the United States
finally equality of the United States has grown very long road from the world
has grown very long road from the world
has grown very long road from the world of white male supremacy to more
of white male supremacy to more
of white male supremacy to more inclusive ideal and what we’ve seen
inclusive ideal and what we’ve seen
inclusive ideal and what we’ve seen already in the first two weeks of the
already in the first two weeks of the
already in the first two weeks of the trump presidency is that he would like
trump presidency is that he would like
trump presidency is that he would like to see us move back in the direction of
to see us move back in the direction of
to see us move back in the direction of a different kind of understanding of
a different kind of understanding of
a different kind of understanding of equality that some people are more
equality that some people are more
equality that some people are more people than others the underlying
people than others the underlying
people than others the underlying predispositions that I think that
predispositions that I think that
predispositions that I think that democracy requires are deliberating that
democracy requires are deliberating that
democracy requires are deliberating that you reach conclusions as a result of
you reach conclusions as a result of
you reach conclusions as a result of consider in different points of view
consider in different points of view
consider in different points of view rather than simply declaring what the
rather than simply declaring what the
rather than simply declaring what the truth is in an authoritarian manner
truth is in an authoritarian manner
truth is in an authoritarian manner pluralism the understanding that
pluralism the understanding that
pluralism the understanding that difference is not something to be
difference is not something to be
difference is not something to be shunned but as Jason just said something
shunned but as Jason just said something
shunned but as Jason just said something to be welcomed and finally what I call
to be welcomed and finally what I call
to be welcomed and finally what I call the ethic of reciprocity which is not
the ethic of reciprocity which is not
the ethic of reciprocity which is not only the willingness to accept the
only the willingness to accept the
only the willingness to accept the consequences of an election even if your
consequences of an election even if your
consequences of an election even if your worst enemy is elected but it’s a
worst enemy is elected but it’s a
worst enemy is elected but it’s a willingness to see things from the other
willingness to see things from the other
willingness to see things from the other person’s point of view and understand
person’s point of view and understand
person’s point of view and understand that a democracy only functions is
that a democracy only functions is
that a democracy only functions is people who disagree with each other are
people who disagree with each other are
people who disagree with each other are able to come together and find a shared
able to come together and find a shared
able to come together and find a shared resolution of their problems part what
resolution of their problems part what
resolution of their problems part what is fascinating and troubling about the
is fascinating and troubling about the
is fascinating and troubling about the election velcro to the presidency is the
election velcro to the presidency is the
election velcro to the presidency is the extent to which he is mentally the
extent to which he is mentally the
extent to which he is mentally the polar opposite of Barack Obama and park
polar opposite of Barack Obama and park
polar opposite of Barack Obama and park was fascinating to me and the reason I
was fascinating to me and the reason I
was fascinating to me and the reason I wrote the little book called reading
wrote the little book called reading
wrote the little book called reading Obama was that he struck me as the first
Obama was that he struck me as the first
Obama was that he struck me as the first president elected to the United States
president elected to the United States
president elected to the United States who was actually a product of a
who was actually a product of a
who was actually a product of a revolution in American history from
revolution in American history from
revolution in American history from World War two until his election not
World War two until his election not
World War two until his election not only was he the product of an African
only was he the product of an African
only was he the product of an African father and white us-born mother who grew
father and white us-born mother who grew
father and white us-born mother who grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii who went to
up in Indonesia and Hawaii who went to
up in Indonesia and Hawaii who went to college in California and in New York
college in California and in New York
college in California and in New York then law school here and became a
then law school here and became a
then law school here and became a senator from Illinois not only did he
senator from Illinois not only did he
senator from Illinois not only did he embodied all those different cultures he
embodied all those different cultures he
embodied all those different cultures he was also educated at a time and in a
was also educated at a time and in a
was also educated at a time and in a place where he was exposed to
place where he was exposed to
place where he was exposed to revolutionary new ideas about how we
revolutionary new ideas about how we
revolutionary new ideas about how we know this was a period when the American
know this was a period when the American
know this was a period when the American Academy as all of you know was moving
Academy as all of you know was moving
Academy as all of you know was moving away from a confidence that there is a
away from a confidence that there is a
away from a confidence that there is a foundational unchanging universal truth
foundational unchanging universal truth
foundational unchanging universal truth that lies beneath human knowledge and
that lies beneath human knowledge and
that lies beneath human knowledge and moving instead to the realization that
moving instead to the realization that
moving instead to the realization that all truths are partial they’re all
all truths are partial they’re all
all truths are partial they’re all respectable they’re all historical and
respectable they’re all historical and
respectable they’re all historical and they’re all particular two cultures he’s
they’re all particular two cultures he’s
they’re all particular two cultures he’s the son of a social anthropologist so
the son of a social anthropologist so
the son of a social anthropologist so the ideas of a cultural anthropologist
the ideas of a cultural anthropologist
the ideas of a cultural anthropologist like Clifford Gertz are second nature to
like Clifford Gertz are second nature to
like Clifford Gertz are second nature to Barack Obama he’s from two very
Barack Obama he’s from two very
Barack Obama he’s from two very different families he’s lived in very
different families he’s lived in very
different families he’s lived in very different parts of the world so the
different parts of the world so the
different parts of the world so the notion of human difference differences
notion of human difference differences
notion of human difference differences of religion
of religion
of religion differences of culture our differences
differences of culture our differences
differences of culture our differences he simply took for granted growing up he
he simply took for granted growing up he
he simply took for granted growing up he also is educated here at the harvard law
also is educated here at the harvard law
also is educated here at the harvard law school at a time when the law school is
school at a time when the law school is
school at a time when the law school is written by confluence of all sorts
written by confluence of all sorts
written by confluence of all sorts critical race theory feminist the
critical race theory feminist the
critical race theory feminist the jurisprudence law economics critical
jurisprudence law economics critical
jurisprudence law economics critical legal status the notion that there is an
legal status the notion that there is an
legal status the notion that there is an unchanged meaning to the united states
unchanged meaning to the united states
unchanged meaning to the united states constitution is an idea that is foreign
constitution is an idea that is foreign
constitution is an idea that is foreign to everyone why like it encounters at
to everyone why like it encounters at
to everyone why like it encounters at the harvard law school that’s foreign to
the harvard law school that’s foreign to
the harvard law school that’s foreign to his way of thinking about the law he
his way of thinking about the law he
his way of thinking about the law he describes the law as a nation arguing
describes the law as a nation arguing
describes the law as a nation arguing with its conscience to think is a
with its conscience to think is a
with its conscience to think is a wonderful phrase and it suggests his
wonderful phrase and it suggests his
wonderful phrase and it suggests his understanding that our interpretations
understanding that our interpretations
understanding that our interpretations of the united states constitution have
of the united states constitution have
of the united states constitution have changed over time as our nation has
changed over time as our nation has
changed over time as our nation has changed over time but for all those
changed over time but for all those
changed over time but for all those reasons obama was a terrible threat to
reasons obama was a terrible threat to
reasons obama was a terrible threat to Americans who believe that there are
Americans who believe that there are
Americans who believe that there are unchanging principles that America is a
unchanging principles that America is a
unchanging principles that America is a nation of white Christian Protestants
nation of white Christian Protestants
nation of white Christian Protestants who do what the males in the family say
who do what the males in the family say
who do what the males in the family say they should do so he embodied precisely
they should do so he embodied precisely
they should do so he embodied precisely the challenges that so many Americans
the challenges that so many Americans
the challenges that so many Americans found threatening and the fact that our
found threatening and the fact that our
found threatening and the fact that our current president entered political life
current president entered political life
current president entered political life with the birther controversy conjuring
with the birther controversy conjuring
with the birther controversy conjuring up a controversy where none existed by
up a controversy where none existed by
up a controversy where none existed by challenging legitimacy of this very
challenging legitimacy of this very
challenging legitimacy of this very strange and foreign figure to be not
strange and foreign figure to be not
strange and foreign figure to be not just
just
just the United States Presidents but given
the United States Presidents but given
the United States Presidents but given the United States citizen part what
the United States citizen part what
the United States citizen part what fascinated me about Obama is not only
fascinated me about Obama is not only
fascinated me about Obama is not only his first book which is a wonderful man
his first book which is a wonderful man
his first book which is a wonderful man Warren if you’ve not read read and I
Warren if you’ve not read read and I
Warren if you’ve not read read and I reckon recommended to you with
reckon recommended to you with
reckon recommended to you with enthusiasm but his second book The
enthusiasm but his second book The
enthusiasm but his second book The Audacity of Hope which includes a kind
Audacity of Hope which includes a kind
Audacity of Hope which includes a kind of history of the United States as Obama
of history of the United States as Obama
of history of the United States as Obama understands although he realized that
understands although he realized that
understands although he realized that there were certain moments when
there were certain moments when
there were certain moments when compromise was not possible the end of
compromise was not possible the end of
compromise was not possible the end of slavery is perhaps the classic example
slavery is perhaps the classic example
slavery is perhaps the classic example of that most of the time America has
of that most of the time America has
of that most of the time America has made progress by finding ways to bring
made progress by finding ways to bring
made progress by finding ways to bring together people who thought they had
together people who thought they had
together people who thought they had nothing in common so he first enters the
nothing in common so he first enters the
nothing in common so he first enters the national stage at the democratic
national stage at the democratic
national stage at the democratic national convention in 2004 with that
national convention in 2004 with that
national convention in 2004 with that memorable speech in which he says there
memorable speech in which he says there
memorable speech in which he says there is no red America and blue America
is no red America and blue America
is no red America and blue America there’s a United States of America and
there’s a United States of America and
there’s a United States of America and his entire presidency was premise on the
his entire presidency was premise on the
his entire presidency was premise on the possibility that these very Greek
possibility that these very Greek
possibility that these very Greek Divine’s couldn’t bridge and that
Divine’s couldn’t bridge and that
Divine’s couldn’t bridge and that Americans could be brought together
Americans could be brought together
Americans could be brought together little did he know that he would be
little did he know that he would be
little did he know that he would be elected at a time when the Republican
elected at a time when the Republican
elected at a time when the Republican Congress declared that they would do no
Congress declared that they would do no
Congress declared that they would do no business with him and that they would
business with him and that they would
business with him and that they would find no compromises by if they were
find no compromises by if they were
find no compromises by if they were proposed by him and his party what I’d
proposed by him and his party what I’d
proposed by him and his party what I’d like to do for the rest of the time
like to do for the rest of the time
like to do for the rest of the time today is trying to set this moment
today is trying to set this moment
today is trying to set this moment Obama’s moments and Trump’s moments in a
Obama’s moments and Trump’s moments in a
Obama’s moments and Trump’s moments in a loaner historical framework by talking
loaner historical framework by talking
loaner historical framework by talking about four moments in American history
about four moments in American history
about four moments in American history from the 1760s up to our own day I think
from the 1760s up to our own day I think
from the 1760s up to our own day I think they suggest that there has been a kind
they suggest that there has been a kind
they suggest that there has been a kind of dynamic movement back and forth
of dynamic movement back and forth
of dynamic movement back and forth between moments when compromises
between moments when compromises
between moments when compromises impossible and moments when it vanished
impossible and moments when it vanished
impossible and moments when it vanished so the first of these moments would be
so the first of these moments would be
so the first of these moments would be from the 1760s roughly to the 1830s the
from the 1760s roughly to the 1830s the
from the 1760s roughly to the 1830s the superior founding when ideas from
superior founding when ideas from
superior founding when ideas from religion from ethics from political
religion from ethics from political
religion from ethics from political theory come together when you have civic
theory come together when you have civic
theory come together when you have civic Republican ideas of the common good you
Republican ideas of the common good you
Republican ideas of the common good you have notions of personal responsibility
have notions of personal responsibility
have notions of personal responsibility and you have notions of ruts that Jason
and you have notions of ruts that Jason
and you have notions of ruts that Jason mentioned all coming together in these
mentioned all coming together in these
mentioned all coming together in these founding documents this is a moment that
founding documents this is a moment that
founding documents this is a moment that endures to the 1830s and its caption
endures to the 1830s and its caption
endures to the 1830s and its caption correction it’s classic form in Alexis
correction it’s classic form in Alexis
correction it’s classic form in Alexis Couture feels democracy in america and
Couture feels democracy in america and
Couture feels democracy in america and the argues that was distinctive about
the argues that was distinctive about
the argues that was distinctive about american democracy is that individuals
american democracy is that individuals
american democracy is that individuals learned what he calls dead tonight p.m.
learned what he calls dead tonight p.m.
learned what he calls dead tonight p.m. on told you self-interest properly
on told you self-interest properly
on told you self-interest properly understood by which he meant that your
understood by which he meant that your
understood by which he meant that your own interest is not necessarily just
own interest is not necessarily just
own interest is not necessarily just your personal interest Yuri under your
your personal interest Yuri under your
your personal interest Yuri under your interest is caught up with the interest
interest is caught up with the interest
interest is caught up with the interest of your culture and so people learn that
of your culture and so people learn that
of your culture and so people learn that he argued by for spitting in barn
he argued by for spitting in barn
he argued by for spitting in barn raisings but for spinning in town
raisings but for spinning in town
raisings but for spinning in town meetings by being insurance we’re in a
meetings by being insurance we’re in a
meetings by being insurance we’re in a jury you have to figure out what
jury you have to figure out what
jury you have to figure out what everybody else thinks and come to a
everybody else thinks and come to a
everybody else thinks and come to a shared understanding that sensibility
shared understanding that sensibility
shared understanding that sensibility Tocqueville argued was what was
Tocqueville argued was what was
Tocqueville argued was what was distinctive about American democracy and
distinctive about American democracy and
distinctive about American democracy and what made it work able to hear her
what made it work able to hear her
what made it work able to hear her Hamilton or seen Hamilton okay there are
Hamilton or seen Hamilton okay there are
Hamilton or seen Hamilton okay there are lots of things that I don’t like about
lots of things that I don’t like about
lots of things that I don’t like about that what music is slime but the
that what music is slime but the
that what music is slime but the portrait of Washington at the moment
portrait of Washington at the moment
portrait of Washington at the moment when he’s instructing Hamilton
when he’s instructing Hamilton
when he’s instructing Hamilton right the address he’s going to say
right the address he’s going to say
right the address he’s going to say farewell to the nation is actually very
farewell to the nation is actually very
farewell to the nation is actually very good because it captures Washington’s
good because it captures Washington’s
good because it captures Washington’s selflessness and it captures his
selflessness and it captures his
selflessness and it captures his non-partisanship that was part of what
non-partisanship that was part of what
non-partisanship that was part of what all the people in that generation prized
all the people in that generation prized
all the people in that generation prized the thought partisanship was poison for
the thought partisanship was poison for
the thought partisanship was poison for a democracy people had to see themselves
a democracy people had to see themselves
a democracy people had to see themselves as part of a shared project it also
as part of a shared project it also
as part of a shared project it also captures Washington’s sense that the
captures Washington’s sense that the
captures Washington’s sense that the important thing to the United States do
important thing to the United States do
important thing to the United States do globally was to maintain its neutrality
globally was to maintain its neutrality
globally was to maintain its neutrality to remain open to other forces in the
to remain open to other forces in the
to remain open to other forces in the world and that’s not a position that
world and that’s not a position that
world and that’s not a position that endured through the 19th century the
endured through the 19th century the
endured through the 19th century the second moment I want to talk about toes
second moment I want to talk about toes
second moment I want to talk about toes into prominence with the election of
into prominence with the election of
into prominence with the election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency Jackson
Andrew Jackson to the presidency Jackson
Andrew Jackson to the presidency Jackson is a Indian fighting slave-owning
is a Indian fighting slave-owning
is a Indian fighting slave-owning misogynist who not surprisingly has been
misogynist who not surprisingly has been
misogynist who not surprisingly has been taken as a model by our current
taken as a model by our current
taken as a model by our current president who has placed a statute of
president who has placed a statute of
president who has placed a statute of Andruw Jones the Jackson and murder of
Andruw Jones the Jackson and murder of
Andruw Jones the Jackson and murder of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office to
Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office to
Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office to remind himself how being a man of the
remind himself how being a man of the
remind himself how being a man of the people can elevate him to a kind of
people can elevate him to a kind of
people can elevate him to a kind of heroism this is the moment when
heroism this is the moment when
heroism this is the moment when laissez-faire economics comes into
laissez-faire economics comes into
laissez-faire economics comes into prominence in the United States when the
prominence in the United States when the
prominence in the United States when the main chance the scramble for wealth
main chance the scramble for wealth
main chance the scramble for wealth replaces that notion of selfless
replaces that notion of selfless
replaces that notion of selfless devotion to the common good and
devotion to the common good and
devotion to the common good and inaugurates a kind of dog eat dog
inaugurates a kind of dog eat dog
inaugurates a kind of dog eat dog struggle in which my success is promised
struggle in which my success is promised
struggle in which my success is promised on your failure rather than her share
on your failure rather than her share
on your failure rather than her share success this is a woman who immigrants
success this is a woman who immigrants
success this is a woman who immigrants pour into the United States but it’s
pour into the United States but it’s
pour into the United States but it’s also a moment when enormous opposition
also a moment when enormous opposition
also a moment when enormous opposition to immigration emergence and when the
to immigration emergence and when the
to immigration emergence and when the first restrictions on immigration are
first restrictions on immigration are
first restrictions on immigration are put in place this moment is in some ways
put in place this moment is in some ways
put in place this moment is in some ways encapsulated best in a little book by
encapsulated best in a little book by
encapsulated best in a little book by first sociologists in America man named
first sociologists in America man named
first sociologists in America man named William grand sight of the title
William grand sight of the title
William grand sight of the title was what do the classic what social
was what do the classic what social
was what do the classic what social classes go to each other and they answer
classes go to each other and they answer
classes go to each other and they answer Sumner offers is none this is a
Sumner offers is none this is a
Sumner offers is none this is a Darwinian notion of struggle only the
Darwinian notion of struggle only the
Darwinian notion of struggle only the fittest will survive and that
fittest will survive and that
fittest will survive and that underwrites the scientific racism that
underwrites the scientific racism that
underwrites the scientific racism that becomes so crucial in the decades
becomes so crucial in the decades
becomes so crucial in the decades following the Civil War so this is a
following the Civil War so this is a
following the Civil War so this is a period in which there is basically very
period in which there is basically very
period in which there is basically very little government regulation of the sort
little government regulation of the sort
little government regulation of the sort that Byron mentioned as a possibility in
that Byron mentioned as a possibility in
that Byron mentioned as a possibility in our own day all overseeing and roll back
our own day all overseeing and roll back
our own day all overseeing and roll back this comes under attack and is in a
this comes under attack and is in a
this comes under attack and is in a certain sense repudiated by a new form
certain sense repudiated by a new form
certain sense repudiated by a new form of liberalism or social democracy that
of liberalism or social democracy that
of liberalism or social democracy that emerges in 1890s in the first decade of
emerges in 1890s in the first decade of
emerges in 1890s in the first decade of the 20th century and transforms America
the 20th century and transforms America
the 20th century and transforms America until the 1970s this is the democracy of
until the 1970s this is the democracy of
until the 1970s this is the democracy of the Progressive Era and the New Deal in
the Progressive Era and the New Deal in
the Progressive Era and the New Deal in free government regulation of the
free government regulation of the
free government regulation of the economy it expands the inclusive
economy it expands the inclusive
economy it expands the inclusive principle of America to include women
principle of America to include women
principle of America to include women and through the civil rights movement to
and through the civil rights movement to
and through the civil rights movement to include african-americans as well it’s
include african-americans as well it’s
include african-americans as well it’s encapsulated best in franklin roosevelt
encapsulated best in franklin roosevelt
encapsulated best in franklin roosevelt state of the union address in 1944 in
state of the union address in 1944 in
state of the union address in 1944 in which he promised americans after world
which he promised americans after world
which he promised americans after world war two a rain of social welfare
war two a rain of social welfare
war two a rain of social welfare programs as generous as anything that
programs as generous as anything that
programs as generous as anything that has been put in place in Europe after
has been put in place in Europe after
has been put in place in Europe after World War two but in the United States
World War two but in the United States
World War two but in the United States those benefits go only to geoff’s and
those benefits go only to geoff’s and
those benefits go only to geoff’s and they are repudiated by the Congress
they are repudiated by the Congress
they are repudiated by the Congress precisely because they would also have
precisely because they would also have
precisely because they would also have been extended to people of color if they
been extended to people of color if they
been extended to people of color if they were universe
were universe
were universe and no southern congressmen were willing
and no southern congressmen were willing
and no southern congressmen were willing to accept that possibility this
to accept that possibility this
to accept that possibility this progressive or social democratic
progressive or social democratic
progressive or social democratic dispensation leads to a shrinking of the
dispensation leads to a shrinking of the
dispensation leads to a shrinking of the gap between the poorest of the
gap between the poorest of the
gap between the poorest of the wealthiest Americans which continues
wealthiest Americans which continues
wealthiest Americans which continues from the depression all the way through
from the depression all the way through
from the depression all the way through to the middle of the 1970s but sometime
to the middle of the 1970s but sometime
to the middle of the 1970s but sometime in the late 1970s over the 1980s we have
in the late 1970s over the 1980s we have
in the late 1970s over the 1980s we have a repudiation of that era of American
a repudiation of that era of American
a repudiation of that era of American politics and its replacement by the
politics and its replacement by the
politics and its replacement by the arrow Ronald Reagan in which we live now
arrow Ronald Reagan in which we live now
arrow Ronald Reagan in which we live now return to less a fair politics return to
return to less a fair politics return to
return to less a fair politics return to notions of unchanging truths
notions of unchanging truths
notions of unchanging truths foundational truths and original
foundational truths and original
foundational truths and original understanding of the Constitution and
understanding of the Constitution and
understanding of the Constitution and since the emergence of this sensibility
since the emergence of this sensibility
since the emergence of this sensibility there’s been a bifurcation in American
there’s been a bifurcation in American
there’s been a bifurcation in American politics on the one hand we had a return
politics on the one hand we had a return
politics on the one hand we had a return to less a fair and a celebration of
to less a fair and a celebration of
to less a fair and a celebration of free-market capitalism Reagan famously
free-market capitalism Reagan famously
free-market capitalism Reagan famously said that government is not the solution
said that government is not the solution
said that government is not the solution government is the problem the solution
government is the problem the solution
government is the problem the solution as far as he was concerned and the
as far as he was concerned and the
as far as he was concerned and the people who followed him was the free
people who followed him was the free
people who followed him was the free market and so the celebration of
market and so the celebration of
market and so the celebration of individual initiative and the
individual initiative and the
individual initiative and the denigration of the possibility that
denigration of the possibility that
denigration of the possibility that government can be a force for good the
government can be a force for good the
government can be a force for good the end of Soviet Union and the end of the
end of Soviet Union and the end of the
end of Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War brought an orgy of
Cold War brought an orgy of
Cold War brought an orgy of self-congratulation in the United States
self-congratulation in the United States
self-congratulation in the United States over the glories of untraveled
over the glories of untraveled
over the glories of untraveled capitalism and a celebration of what we
capitalism and a celebration of what we
capitalism and a celebration of what we now know as globalism now some people
now know as globalism now some people
now know as globalism now some people have done very well as a result of that
have done very well as a result of that
have done very well as a result of that globalism but most Americans for the
globalism but most Americans for the
globalism but most Americans for the first time in united states history have
first time in united states history have
first time in united states history have seen their income statement has been
seen their income statement has been
seen their income statement has been almost no change in the
almost no change in the
almost no change in the most Americans since the mid-1970s
most Americans since the mid-1970s
most Americans since the mid-1970s exception are those ten percent at the
exception are those ten percent at the
exception are those ten percent at the top salaries and have skyrocket so
top salaries and have skyrocket so
top salaries and have skyrocket so on one hand the celebration of less a
on one hand the celebration of less a
on one hand the celebration of less a fair the celebration of free-market
fair the celebration of free-market
fair the celebration of free-market capitalism on the other hand we have the
capitalism on the other hand we have the
capitalism on the other hand we have the rights revolution coming out of the
rights revolution coming out of the
rights revolution coming out of the 1960s affirmative action 400 represented
1960s affirmative action 400 represented
1960s affirmative action 400 represented minorities reproductive rights for women
minorities reproductive rights for women
minorities reproductive rights for women the notion that America should be in the
the notion that America should be in the
the notion that America should be in the inclusive welcoming community with a
inclusive welcoming community with a
inclusive welcoming community with a multitude of cultures represented in it
multitude of cultures represented in it
multitude of cultures represented in it the LP g TQ resolution is a revolution
the LP g TQ resolution is a revolution
the LP g TQ resolution is a revolution that along with formative action a
that along with formative action a
that along with formative action a reproductive rights is a kind of symbol
reproductive rights is a kind of symbol
reproductive rights is a kind of symbol to American conservatives of what has
to American conservatives of what has
to American conservatives of what has gone wrong in the United States since
gone wrong in the United States since
gone wrong in the United States since the 1960s and so what the election of
the 1960s and so what the election of
the 1960s and so what the election of Donald Trump represents I think is a
Donald Trump represents I think is a
Donald Trump represents I think is a kind of recognition of this bifurcation
kind of recognition of this bifurcation
kind of recognition of this bifurcation in the policy politics between one hand
in the policy politics between one hand
in the policy politics between one hand what’s called neoliberalism the return
what’s called neoliberalism the return
what’s called neoliberalism the return to less a fair on the other hand the
to less a fair on the other hand the
to less a fair on the other hand the rights revolution of the left and what
rights revolution of the left and what
rights revolution of the left and what both of those accomplish is to feed the
both of those accomplish is to feed the
both of those accomplish is to feed the resentment of white middle and lower
resentment of white middle and lower
resentment of white middle and lower middle class Americans who feel that
middle class Americans who feel that
middle class Americans who feel that both the return to globalist
both the return to globalist
both the return to globalist neoliberalism on the one hand and the
neoliberalism on the one hand and the
neoliberalism on the one hand and the rights revolution on the other have
rights revolution on the other have
rights revolution on the other have robbed them of their nation now this is
robbed them of their nation now this is
robbed them of their nation now this is a long-standing cultural
a long-standing cultural
a long-standing cultural the roots of which go all the way back
the roots of which go all the way back
the roots of which go all the way back to the 19th century and the first mass
to the 19th century and the first mass
to the 19th century and the first mass emigration of people unlike these white
emigration of people unlike these white
emigration of people unlike these white Protestant Christian Americans but
Protestant Christian Americans but
Protestant Christian Americans but what’s added to is the economic
what’s added to is the economic
what’s added to is the economic grievances that have come from the
grievances that have come from the
grievances that have come from the genuine transformation of the economy
genuine transformation of the economy
genuine transformation of the economy such that some people have been doing
such that some people have been doing
such that some people have been doing tremendously well whereas they have been
tremendously well whereas they have been
tremendously well whereas they have been doing not much better at all so that
doing not much better at all so that
doing not much better at all so that combination of economic grievances and
combination of economic grievances and
combination of economic grievances and cultural resentments has made a kind of
cultural resentments has made a kind of
cultural resentments has made a kind of souring or poisoning of the American
souring or poisoning of the American
souring or poisoning of the American political system and has ended us in the
political system and has ended us in the
political system and has ended us in the position where we find ourselves am were
position where we find ourselves am were
position where we find ourselves am were abandoned many of us considered as
abandoned many of us considered as
abandoned many of us considered as utterly unqualified as practically
utterly unqualified as practically
utterly unqualified as practically anyone in the United States could be
anyone in the United States could be
anyone in the United States could be chosen as president of the nation
chosen as president of the nation
chosen as president of the nation they’ll leave it at that point and open
they’ll leave it at that point and open
they’ll leave it at that point and open the floor for questions
the floor for questions
the floor for questions [Applause]
”
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