Harry Targ
Election
Expectations
I like most political observers believed the polls. It is interesting
to note that some pundits, such as filmmaker Michael Moore, were warning of a
Trump victory. These people were more likely to be in touch with working
people, particularly in economically devastated areas. The media played a big
role in "creating" the Trump candidacy then making him out to be a
monster for mainstream viewers, thus ignoring the patronizing way the Trump message
was seen by some of his base.
Why did Trump win?
A careful analysis explaining the Trump victory requires a multi-factor
analysis. Over the last 24 hours I have
seen compelling explanations from Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and
Glenn Greenwald.* Statements by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are informative
as well.
Substantively we need to reflect on the role and impact of 40 years of
neoliberal globalization and its key components--financialization,
privatization, deindustrialization, downsizing the civilian sector of the
economy and boosting the military industrial complex, and
union-busting. Neoliberal globalization expanded dramatically in the
Reagan period in the 1980s and was given a centrist stamp of approval
in the Clinton presidency. The impacts on working people have been devastating.
Deeply embedded in the logic of capitalism is the
exploitation of all workers and the particular dehumanization and
objectification of workers of color. Over
time racism has developed an autonomous character and has been used
to divide the working class. The Trump campaign used the historic and
institutionalized racism and white supremacy to mobilize some of his
base. As to this election, race and class matter.
In addition, we cannot forget the institutionalization of patriarchy, a
system developed long before the rise of capitalism but used along with race to
divide the working class, and pit people at the base against each other. Modern
forms of sexism have used the media to objectify and dehumanize women, a tool
that also played out significantly in this election campaign.
Finally, the media--print, electronic, networks and cable--created the
candidacy of Donald Trump giving him free air time, communicating his
most bombastic statements, all to increase viewership and profit.
Five media conglomerates control about half of all of what we citizens
consume. The Trump campaign was a boon to their profits. After he
was nominated the media shifted to the Trump as monster narrative, equally
profitable. While the latter appealed to
the liberal political junkies it was ignored or resented by the
Trump base. We news junkies were fooled into expecting a Clinton victory.
The same shortsightedness governed polling operations and our
consumption of polling data.
Prospects
for the Future
The struggles for economic democracy, social justice, an end to racism
and sexism will continue. The Sanders campaign was an inspirational predictor
of the popular struggles that will move forward into the future. Of particular
relevance is that the millenials of the Sanders campaign, Black Lives Matter,
Fight for $15 and environmental movements are in the majority. Of course
the dangers of radical setbacks in the short run are great—including further
deterioration of the environment, encouragement of violent fascist
groups, more police violence, attacks on women's rights, and efforts
to destroy basic health care. The good news is that progressive
groups and a twenty-first century left are expanding. The bad news is the
struggles will require more defense than offense in the
short-run. I think we can win, if the environment holds up.
Fears and
Hopes
I fear the unleashing of more police
violence and vigilantism against people of color and immigrants, significant
reversal of the modest gains in saving the environment, and possible
destruction of people’s programs (for me as well) such as Medicare, Social Security,
public education.
My hope is that the anti-Trump "crowds" hitting the streets,
the progressive movements in the Democratic Party, old and new leftists, and
the inspiring new issue specific campaigns such as in North Dakota, will flower
and grow. It is our only hope.
Noam Chomsky http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/38360-trump-in-the-white-house-an-interview-with-noam-chomsky
Naomi Klein https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/09/rise-of-the-davos-class-sealed-americas-fate
Glenn Greenwald https://theintercept.com/2016/11/09/democrats-trump-and-the-ongoing-dangerous-refusal-to-learn-the-lesson- of-brexit/
