
Comeback
M. Steven Fish
The fate of American democracy now hinges on the Democrats' ability to defeat the Republicans for the foreseeable future. But for the Democrats to win consistently, they must reestablish their credentials as fearless leaders, tough fighters, and fierce patriots.
Comeback delivers a bold new take on democracy’s crisis. Many liberals think that escalating economic anxieties and cultural backlash drove voters to Trump. But a crush of data shows this thinking to be deeply flawed. It also strikes working-class voters as condescending and repellent. And while the Democrats stick to “kitchen table” issues and showing how much they care, voters care more about strength and commitment to principle than prescription drug prices.
Politics is a dominance game and a contest to capture the flag. Politicians who seem to be the strongest leaders and most passionate patriots hold the advantage. The Republicans get it. The Democrats don't.
Republicans have a high-dominance political style. They take risks, savor conflict, and use provocative language. Democrats have a low-dominance style. They’re risk-averse, afraid to engage on cultural issues—and more than a little boring. Republicans hammer away at their patriotism, even as they betray the nation and shred American values. Democrats are loyal to American values but have grown squeamish about patriotism and have no national story.
Ordinary people often don’t recognize themselves in the stories liberal politicians tell about them, while the authoritarians speak a language of dominance and national greatness that connects. The Democrats need a new approach to messaging. Comeback spells it out—and provides a roadmap for trouncing Trumpism.
Duration - 10h 39m.
Author - M. Steven Fish.
Narrator - M. Steven Fish.
Published Date - Monday, 15 January 2024.
Copyright - © 2024 M. Steven Fish ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
The fate of American democracy now hinges on the Democrats' ability to defeat the Republicans for the foreseeable future. But for the Democrats to win consistently, they must reestablish their credentials as fearless leaders, tough fighters, and fierce patriots. Comeback delivers a bold new take on democracy’s crisis. Many liberals think that escalating economic anxieties and cultural backlash drove voters to Trump. But a crush of data shows this thinking to be deeply flawed. It also strikes working-class voters as condescending and repellent. And while the Democrats stick to “kitchen table” issues and showing how much they care, voters care more about strength and commitment to principle than prescription drug prices. Politics is a dominance game and a contest to capture the flag. Politicians who seem to be the strongest leaders and most passionate patriots hold the advantage. The Republicans get it. The Democrats don't. Republicans have a high-dominance political style. They take risks, savor conflict, and use provocative language. Democrats have a low-dominance style. They’re risk-averse, afraid to engage on cultural issues—and more than a little boring. Republicans hammer away at their patriotism, even as they betray the nation and shred American values. Democrats are loyal to American values but have grown squeamish about patriotism and have no national story. Ordinary people often don’t recognize themselves in the stories liberal politicians tell about them, while the authoritarians speak a language of dominance and national greatness that connects. The Democrats need a new approach to messaging. Comeback spells it out—and provides a roadmap for trouncing Trumpism. Duration - 10h 39m. Author - M. Steven Fish. Narrator - M. Steven Fish. Published Date - Monday, 15 January 2024. Copyright - © 2024 M. Steven Fish ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:25
Acknowledgments
Duration:00:07:41
Introduction: Democracy on the Line
Duration:00:31:28
Part 1, Chapter 1 - The Standard Story in Brief
Duration:00:07:39
Chapter 2 - The Economy Has Not Declined and Injustice Has Not Surged
Duration:00:10:32
Chapter 3 - Working-Class People Have Not Felt That Their Well-Being Is Eroding
Duration:00:18:09
Chapter 4 - There Is No Epidemic of “Deaths of Despair”
Duration:00:14:34
Chapter 5 - Cultural Backlash Does Not Explain Democracy’s Reversal
Duration:00:19:00
Chapter 6 - The Democratic Party Has Not Abandoned the Working Class
Duration:00:20:22
Chapter 7 - A Flawed Constitution Is Not to Blame for Democracy’s Crisis
Duration:00:05:07
Chapter 8 - Mistaken Premises, Unsound Prescriptions
Duration:00:12:13
Part 2, Chapter 9 - Defining Dominance
Duration:00:12:48
Chapter 10 - The Democrats’ Dominance Deficit
Duration:00:22:45
Chapter 11 - Why Liberals Recoil from Dominance
Duration:00:28:53
Chapter 12 - Profiles in Low-Dominance Leadership
Duration:00:33:56
Chapter 13 - Bridling the Boss
Duration:00:22:06
Chapter 14 - How the Democrats Can Win with Dominance
Duration:00:06:03
Chapter 15 - Why Liberals Need Not Shun Dominance
Duration:00:23:25
Chapter 16 - When Liberals Grasp Dominance
Duration:00:25:59
Part 3, Chapter 17 - The Liberals’ Nationalism Challenge
Duration:00:19:32
Chapter 18 - Why Liberals Need Not Fear Nationalism
Duration:00:10:43
Chapter 19 - Grappling with Race in the Nation’s Story
Duration:00:49:12
Chapter 20 - Grappling with Class in the Nation’s Story
Duration:00:39:53
Chapter 21 - Pride, Respect, Trumputin
Duration:00:22:09
Chapter 22 - Claiming the Flag for Freedom’s Sake: Toward a National-Democratic Narrative
Duration:00:46:49
Part 4, Chapter 23 - Time for a Democratic Comeback
Duration:00:24:17
Chapter 24 - Frederick Douglass: The Greatness and Grandeur of the Future of the Republic
Duration:00:22:45
Chapter 25 - John F. Kennedy: That Pledge Has Been Fulfilled
Duration:00:14:40
Chapter 26 - Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan: Opening America’s Golden Door
Duration:00:18:52
Chapter 27 - Jasmine Crockett: Republicans in the Shitter
Duration:00:18:47
Chapter 28 - Franklin Roosevelt: The Forces of Selfishness and Lust for Power Meet Their Match
Duration:00:20:40
Chapter 29 - Mary McLeod Bethune: What American Democracy Means to Me
Duration:00:07:19
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:28