A Vision of a ‘Society Without Capitalism’
Summary
Ross Douthat interviews Bhaskar Sunkara, president of The Nation and founding editor of Jacobin, to assess the rise of democratic socialism in the US. They discuss recent primary wins, the movement’s economic agenda like Medicare for All and housing reform, and its stance on AI and cultural issues. Sunkara argues that while socialists ultimately seek a post-capitalist society, they currently operate within capitalism to expand social rights and challenge establishment politics.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Bhaskar Sunkara
The rise of democratic socialism in the US
Why socialism is resonating now
Personal political awakening and Marxist roots
Defining democratic socialism and policy goals
Housing solutions and economic growth
Socialist views on AI and labor
Markets, capitalism, and worker ownership
Socialism, identity politics, and immigration
Cultural moderation and political rhetoric
Israel-Palestine and foreign policy
Governing, taxes, and the future of the left
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