Empowering Progressive Third Parties in the United States: Defeating Duopoly, Advancing Democracy

ISBN-13: 9781138022003 / Angielski / Twarda / 2015 / 278 str.

Opis

This ground-breaking collection of writings explores how progressive third parties in the U.S. can become more electorally successful and politically influential. It is the only recently published book that focuses exclusively on how such parties may advance. Their rise may be essential to countering the powerful, growing sway of wealth within the two major American parties, and to creating a more just, democratic United States. Contributors include key participants in and observers of the U.S. left third party movement. Nearly all have previously authored books or articles on progressive politics. Many have led effective left third party efforts, and some have held elected office on behalf of a progressive third party. Together the writers reflect on a wide range of relevant parties-including the Green Party, the Vermont Progressive Party, the Labor Party, the Working Families Party, Socialist Alternative, and potential new parties on the American left. The authors highlight a variety of strategies and conditions that may facilitate electoral breakthroughs by such parties and their candidates. Overall, the collection suggests that U.S. progressive third parties may make more headway if they thoughtfully combine their idealism and sense of urgency with a flexible, pragmatic approach to gaining power.

Spis treści

Preface Introduction: The Future Rise of Progressive Third Parties 1. How a Socialist Won: Lessons from the Historic Victory of Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant  2. A Green Becomes Mayor: The Election of Gayle McLaughlin in Richmond, California  3. The Rise of the Portland Greens Patrick Quinlan  4. Lessons of the Vermont Progressive Party  5. Community Connections: How Progressive Third Parties Can Win More State Legislative Elections  6. Beyond the "Spoiler" Myth: Exploring the Real Lessons of the Nader Campaigns for Progressive Politics  7. The U.S. Greens in Presidential Elections: Losing Their Mojo and Getting It Back   8. Labor Party Time? Not Yet  9. Don’t Wait for Labor: The Necessity of Building a Left Third Party at the Grassroots  10. A New Progressive Party: How the Working Families Party Can Change Electoral Politics  11. Breaking Through By Breaking Free: Why the Left Needs to Declare Its Political Independence  12. Epilogue: Questions and Answers about Progressive Third Party Empowerment

O autorze

Jonathan H. Martin is Professor of Sociology at Framingham State University and a longtime progressive third party activist.