The Democrats: A Critical History (Updated edition)

(Paperback, Revised)

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Offering a broad historical perspective, Selfa shows how the Democratic Party has time and again betrayed the aspirations of ordinary people while pursuing an agenda favorable to Wall Street and U.S. imperial ambitions.

He examines the relationship between party leaders and social movements, from the civil rights struggle to the movement to end the Iraq war; reveals the unhappy marriage between U.S. labor and the party of the people; and assesses the mixed record of attempts to build a third party alternative.

Further, Selfa argues that the Democrats record of backing the rich and breaking promises to its voting base is not a recent departure from an otherwise laudable past, but results from its role as one of two parties serving the interests of the U.S. establishment.

Reviews

Praise for Lance Selfa The Democrats Lance Selfa has written one book that should be mandatory reading for everyone concerned with politics in the United States. The Democrats: A Critical History systematically debunks the notion that the Democratic Party is a progressive force, and that it can be pushed to the left by its voting base. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Selfas conclusion, he presents a case that cannot be ignored. Robert W. McChesney, co-author, The Death and Life of American Journalism The Democratic Party, Lance Selfa demonstrates, is the graveyard of American social movements, its grassy knolls entombing the disappointed carcasses of Populism, Progressivism, Labor, and the Green movement. The Democrats should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand why Barack Obama turned out to be the undertaker of reform. Roger D. Hodge, author, The Mendacity of Hope With a new, duly-deserved chapter on the Obama Era, Lance Selfas The Democrats reveals the many ways in which the establishment Democratic Party has not just dashed progressive hopes over centuries but served as a distraction from the desperately needed business of making real change in this country. Writing dismal history like this is dirty work, but somebodys got to do it and Seifas straight talk actually lifts ones spirits. Laura Flanders, host of The Laura Flanders Show At a time when our political discourse has reached its basest depths, and many are left scratching their heads as to why corporate America is stronger than ever while the rest of us reel in this recession, Lance Selfas timely book helps us understand clearly why the Democratic Party is its own worst enemy. With solid and meticulous research to back his claims, Selfas analysis is crucial to progressive understanding of the state of American politics. Sonali Kolhatkar, host, Uprising Radio, KPFK Worthy reading for anyone who is interested in social change.MediaMouse.org The Democrats is at its best not just when analyzing Democratic foibles and there are plenty but when assessing how the party stifles dissent. Lance Selfa has crafted a smart, readable history of the Democrats that reminds us of the partys allegiance to capital.Eleanor J. Bader, The Indypendent If youve ever wondered where the democracy is in the Democratic Party and why US elections rarely seem to change anything, this book will explain the where and the why. Providing readers with the history of the Democrats from its genesis as the party of the slaveholders to the neoliberal DLC, author Selfa describes the Democrats role in diverting Americans desire for change.Ron Jacobs, Counterpunch
Praise for Lance Selfa The Democrats Lance Selfa has written one book that should be mandatory reading for everyone concerned with politics in the United States. The Democrats: A Critical History systematically debunks the notion that the Democratic Party is a progressive force, and that it can be pushed to the left by its voting base. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Selfas conclusion, he presents a case that cannot be ignored. Robert W. McChesney, co-author, The Death and Life of American Journalism The Democratic Party, Lance Selfa demonstrates, is the graveyard of American social movements, its grassy knolls entombing the disappointed carcasses of Populism, Progressivism, Labor, and the Green movement. The Democrats should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand why Barack Obama turned out to be the undertaker of reform. Roger D. Hodge, author, The Mendacity of Hope With a new, duly-deserved chapter on the Obama Era, Lance Selfas The Democrats reveals the many ways in which the establishment Democratic Party has not just dashed progressive hopes over centuries but served as a distraction from the desperately needed business of making real change in this country. Writing dismal history like this is dirty work, but somebodys got to do it and Seifas straight talk actually lifts ones spirits. Laura Flanders, host of The Laura Flanders Show At a time when our political discourse has reached its basest depths, and many are left scratching their heads as to why corporate America is stronger than ever while the rest of us reel in this recession, Lance Selfas timely book helps us understand clearly why the Democratic Party is its own worst enemy. With solid and meticulous research to back his claims, Selfas analysis is crucial to progressive understanding of the state of American politics. Sonali Kolhatkar, host, Uprising Radio, KPFK Worthy reading for anyone who is interested in social change.MediaMouse.org The Democrats is at its best not just when analyzing Democratic foibles and there are plenty but when assessing how the party stifles dissent. Lance Selfa has crafted a smart, readable history of the Democrats that reminds us of the partys allegiance to capital.Eleanor J. Bader, The Indypendent If youve ever wondered where the democracy is in the Democratic Party and why US elections rarely seem to change anything, this book will explain the where and the why. Providing readers with the history of the Democrats from its genesis as the party of the slaveholders to the neoliberal DLC, author Selfa describes the Democrats role in diverting Americans desire for change.Ron Jacobs, Counterpunch

Author Bio

Lance Selfa is an editor of and contributor to International Socialist Review. He edited The Struggle for Palestine (Haymarket, 2002). He lives in Chicago.