2. But maybe Hillary v. Bernie can usefully be recast as liberalism versus socialism.
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3. The curious thing about liberalism versus socialism is that they aren't quite antithetical nor are they quite allies.
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4. Classical liberalism, which predates democracy, is antithetical to socialism in fundamental way of prioritizing property above all
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5. Classical liberalism prized the freedom of the individual above all, with individual being specifically propertied white men.
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6. But the rise of mass democracy (pushed for by socialists) became the norm, liberalism had to face reality of diverse individualisms.
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7. Liberalism splintered into two: one side continuing to prioritize elite white men (libertarianism) other side accepting democracy
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8. John Stuart Mill is pivotal figure because he was first major liberal to recognize that mass democracy meant accepting socialism.
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9. Post-Mill, all major liberal thinkers (Russell, Dewey, Rawls, Bobbio) have pushed for a conciliation of liberalism with social democracy
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10. That's the theory. Practical reality is messier. In USA, major liberal party (Dems) has complicated relationship with socialism.
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11. On one hand, long history of Democrats actively repressing socialists (jailing Debs, Truman admin, COINTELPRO & Sullivan at FBI)
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12. But aside from suppressing socialist movements, Dems have also selective incorporate many socialist reforms
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13. With socialism now more active in USA than anytime since 1960s, question is with Dems go path of suppression or co-option.
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14. I go into greater detail about the entangled politics of liberalism & socialism here:https://newrepublic.com/article/144973/sibling-rivalry-liberals-socialists-common-inheritance-work-together-defeat-trump …
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15. Now, you may ask, how does all this fit in with Fake Melania. Let me explain....
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