For a brief moment around 2023 the 4 day work week almost seemed like a real possibility but then something happened and the issue just died out.
I am creating this post as a way to collect information and research on the topic. Do you know of any research done on the subject? Do you have personal experience? Share them in the comments all engagement is welcome! Let’s bring that issue back to life!
Why do you say that? I have the complete opposite impression. Working class people are wither going liberal or authoritarian/populist depending on the amount of studies they have and general vibe around them. People outside of that are really rare. Which honestly feels depressing.
Leftist policies are extremely popular among the electorate. But all western nations are now corporate captured and completely corrupted. So the only options for voters tends to be center-right neoliberals, who only promise mild reforms and never even keep those promises, or full-throated fascists on the far right.
So the bland neoliberals have diminishing support that translates into losses, with most people not engaging in a process that offers them no representation, and you come away with the impression that support for fascism is gaining in popularity. In fact, it’s that the systems are rigged and only pro-corporate fascists are permitted to win.
Look at voter turnout numbers. Millions of people are simply choosing to not support either major party- not shifting right. And look at what happened to progressive ballot measures last election. Broad and sweeping support nationwide, even in districts where far right candidates win.
And if you look at what western governments are censoring online, it’s mostly support for leftist policies and anti-war speech. This further creates the impression of a growing right, due to systemic silencing of the left: https://www.mintpressnews.com/tiktok-chinese-trojan-horse-run-by-state-department-officials/284353/
What studies are you referring to? Here’s the ones I’ve seen:
https://thehill.com/business/4869155-poll-approval-labor-unions/amp/
https://news.gallup.com/poll/468401/majority-say-gov-ensure-healthcare.aspx
https://news.gallup.com/poll/642695/majority-disapprove-israeli-action-gaza.aspx
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2024/4/26/voters-think-its-time-to-raise-the-minimum-wage
I think it’s a bit more complex than that. In my country there are multiple Marxist parties and since we are a parliamentary system they have actual power. Still the general discourse tends to feel a bit more to the sides I mentioned. At the same time far right has been growing. But I agree people tend to be onboard with leftist policies. Maybe what the world needs is a pinch more leftist populism. Bring voters back from the claws of the far right.
Again, regardless of how it may feel, their numbers are not growing. The far right is growing in power- not size.
Anyone who’s read enough theory or history saw this coming for years. This was expected. Capitalists were always going to turn to fascism in the face of rising leftist populism. Fortunately, the same theorists predicted the capitalists/fascists will ultimately fall, and socialism/communism will follow.
We don’t need a “pinch” of leftist populism. That’s like saying we need just a little equality, or smidge more justice. We need an overwhelming flood of leftist populism, and a world where everyone can live with dignity. Plus, it’s the only thing that can save us from climate collapse.
Ok I can agree with you on that last part. But would you be ok with slide into an authoritarian government just because it was under a leftist banner? Would it be that different from a full blown fascist ruler? I’ve read plenty of leftist and anarchist theory and even if I can agree that it was a possible path, it was a path, not the path, same thing with eventual rise of socialism, it’s possible, not a given thing. Also no need to be condescending I’m trying to have a polite conversation here. I wanted your personal take on why you think majority of people were left leaning, I didn’t even disagree with it. The far right is gaining power because it’s gaining size. People choose authoritarian and racist rethoric above the alternative because it’s simpler. It’s force above philosophy. That’s why I said a pinch. Because if left populism goes in the same direction it will lead to the same conclusion even if the original goal was better.
Authoritarianism by the majority just seems like a euphemism for democracy.
I’m not pulling the numbers out of my ass. Many millions of people are now disengaged with what they believe to be a sham government. Look at the surveys and turnout numbers.
Neoliberals are just losing support faster than the far right. But both are shedding support.
Nowhere I said authoritarianism by the majority. And I’m not American so I’m assuming you are talking about the USA government. But let me see if understand what you are saying. Your take is that both neoliberals and the far right are both loosing support but that support is not going anywhere because people are just disengaging from politics? If that’s the case I agree. But also I don’t see how to re-engage people.
Easy. Re-engage people by helping them. But it would require not putting corporations first. The parties would rather lose than do that.
I have the same observations, people are confused and miserable. The easiest explanation is to just blame whatever minority is in fashion in your part of the world.
this is exactly my read. democracy is collapsing because the masses are voting in the fascists
The electoral systems are corrupted so that fascists are the only candidates allowed on the ballots. When the only options are Fascist A or Fascist B, surprise surprise, a fascist wins.
In the rare instances where an actual leftist makes it onto the ballot (not a neoliberal pretender), they tend to see huge turnout and broad support. Which is exactly why western governments are rigging the process to prevent them from gaining ballot access whenever possible.