Diagnosis and prescription for the United States from the new left

In the early 90’s it seemed that socialist ideas overthrown forever, and politicians of the left wing is completely marginalized. The word socialism has become a common noun denoting a mess, the slow pace of development and standard of living. However, in recent years people who call themselves socialists, are increasingly win elections. We’re not talking about China or Venezuela, but about the countries of Europe and the United States. The socialists gaining ground in Germany, Jeremy Corbyn is very close to get the keys to Downing Street in the UK. In the United States, winning the red idea in the cold war, suddenly is playing well in the presidential race, Bernie Sanders in 2016, and in 2018, the Congress comes a whole galaxy of young socialists, including charismatic Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Diagnosis and prescription for the United States from the new leftOcasio-Cortez in Congress is just the tip of the iceberg of political influence of democratic socialists, become familiar in local authorities and civil movements

The Economist tried to understand the reasons of success and the political prospects of the new left than they differ from the former, the red banner, and what unites them. According to the respected publication, the base incident to the revival of the socialist views — Millennials on one side, not seen with their own eyes the practical realizations of a red idea, on the other hand faced with the kostnost and lack of sensitivity to change of the existing political forces. Of Millennials are distinguished by a higher level of education and social queries than the previous generation and the difficult economic and career implementation in a static system prevailing parties, corporations, etc.

About 51% of Americans aged 18-29 have a positive attitude to socialism, says Gallup. In a primary election in 2016 for Bernie Sanders voted more young people than Hillary Clinton and Donald trump combined. Almost a third of French voters under the age of 24 years in the presidential election in 2017 voted for an ultra left candidate.

While the right and prevail on their laurels since the early 90’s, was falling into the nostalgia, narcissism and chauvinism, the left pointed to the shortcomings of the system, overlooked by the right-wing — social inequality, environmental degradation and the weakness of democracy at the local levels. The creation of a real independent elites, the mechanisms of direct provision of power from the population and civilian organizations in the local elections — the first thing that took young leftists, inter alia by creating the local levels of the organizational Foundation and asset. The triumphal entry Ocasio-Cortez in the Congress — the tip of the iceberg, and it is based on many new leftists gained positions on the local levels of government and in voluntary associations.

Now the main topic on the agenda of the left again social inequality. They believe that inequality is out of control and that the economy is weighted in favour of corporate interests. They think that it s a society of voters has a request for redistribution of income and power. They believe that myopia and lobbying forced the government to ignore the growing likelihood of a climate catastrophe. And they believe that the hierarchies that govern society and the economy — regulators, the bureaucracy and companies — no longer serve the interests of ordinary people and needs to be «democratized».

Economist, formulating a diagnosis, which put the system left itself with him and argues, claiming that social inequality in recent years has declined, particularly in the US, and the main problem of modern economy is not unemployment, which also declined, and unresolved circularity inevitably in the future with new and new crises. Also, the publication doubted the wide public support for radical redistribution: «Americans support the redistribution is not higher than in 1990, and the country recently elected billionaire, who promised a reduction of corporate tax. And in some respects the British are the rich even more relaxed than the Americans.»

But most Economist criticized not even a diagnosis, and the prescriptions offered by the socialists. «Some on the left are developing a myth that the vast expansion of public services can be paid in the first place due to higher taxes on the wealthy. In fact, as the population ages, it will be difficult to maintain existing services without increasing taxes for people with average income. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez offers the tax rate to 70% for the highest incomes, but a plausible estimate assumes that the additional income will be only $12 billion, or 0.3% of the total amount of the tax. Some radicals go on supporting «modern monetary theory», which States that governments are free to borrow to Finance new spending while maintaining low interest rates. Even if governments in recent times have been able to borrow more than expected by many politicians, the idea that unlimited borrowing eventually catch up with Economics, is a form of quackery.»

Distrust of the market, bureaucracy, and corporations, which nurtured the new left, forcing them to mythologize the strength and integrity of civil societies, social movements and trade unions. Meanwhile, the local government and public ideological initiative group of the least transparent and accountable. But the available historical experience of participation of trade unions or other workers ‘ organizations in the management of enterprises suggests that these forces often hamper the development of the business and the company where workers have a decisive voice in the end lose the competitive and technological race more free players.

«Instead of protecting businesses and jobs from the change, the state should ensure the efficiency of markets and to help the workers, not jobs. Instead of focusing on redistribution, governments would be better to reduce rents, improve education and increase competition. Climate change can be combated through a combination of market instruments and public investment. New socialism is refreshing willingness to challenge the status quo. But, as the old socialism, it suffers from a belief in the integrity of the collective consciousness and unwarranted prejudice to the individual, to the individual. Liberals should resist it» — sums up the thinking Economist.

 

 

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