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Issue #16, Spring 2010
 The standard narrative, at this point, is this: Fourteen months ago, the progressive breast swelled with joy and hope at Barack Obama’s ascent to power; today, much of that hope is lost, and the fault sits squarely on the shoulders of the man who raised expectations so thrillingly in 2008 and has deflated them so utterly since. Without question, there is something to the story. But it is, perhaps, a little more cathartic than explanatory. Nine thinkers and writers assess where we are.
Michael Sandel: Obama and Civic Idealism
Michael Walzer: Missing the Movement Danielle Allen: It's Up to Obama William Galston: A Time of Limits Martha Nussbaum: Learning from the World Robert Reich: Principles Before Heroes Katha Pollitt: What Happened to Women? Brad Carson: Liberalism, Unwilling and Unable Joe Klein: DMV Liberalism The 15-year decline in violent crime is not nearly as great a success story as you might think. The time is right for a new—and broader—crime bill.
Social Darwinism isn't only morally wrong; it doesn't even perform the function it claims to perform: fostering real competition.
 The data show it: Nations that have legalized gay marriage have witnessed no resulting harm to the institution.
Remember when religious populism walked hand-in-hand with economic populism? Neither does Sarah Palin.
Why Amartya Sen and Michael Sandel aren't content merely to describe the world.
The neoconservatives turned Woodrow Wilson into something he was not. In truth, Obama is more like him than Bush ever was.
What the short, rumbustious history of Ramparts magazine means for modern journalism.
 An overview of Issue #16.
 Yes, we need government policies to fight poverty. But personal responsibility is vital, too. A response to Peter Edelman.
 Letters from our readers.
 It's a heretical thought, but would people pay more taxes if they could designate where a portion of their money went?
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Katha Pollitt: Instead of moving to the center, liberalism should try embracing people who are actually liberals—starting with women. Michael Sandel: Obama can still redefine liberalism, but he must bring economic power to heel. Thomas Oliphant: Ted Kennedy's greatness lay in his surprisingly rigorous self-awareness. Amy Wilentz: Do we create more caring communities in the wake of natural catastrophes? Depends on what "we" you mean. The Courage of Our Contradictions William Galston: A new liberalism must reflect not only on our permanent beliefs, but also on many Americans' reservations about them. A response to E.J. Dionne, Jr. Matthew Cooper: Bill Clinton acted on principle far more often than you may think. Clay Risen: Should progressives frustrated with our democracy pine for a parliamentary system? In a word—nein. Kevin Carey: Are our colleges teaching students well? No. But here's how to make them. Peter Edelman: Conventional wisdom aside, some '60s-era inner-city programs have been a success. Now it's time for Obama to launch phase two. Federalism and Its Discontents Greg Anrig: The states are drowning. The best life-preserver that Washington can throw at them is to take over Medicaid. Shadi Hamid: Egypt is the linchpin to America's Middle East policy—a policy that must make interests reinforce ideals, rather than conflict with them. Obama Proposes Consumer Financial Protection Agency News: President Barack Obama has proposed the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency, an idea first written about in Democracy. Michael Tomasky to Become Editor of Democracy News: Michael Tomasky, a highly respected writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience covering American politics and helping to define and update progressive ideas, will join Democracy: A Journal of Ideas as its Editor. |
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