Are Socialists Actually Leaving Wokeness Behind?

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s admission that “Woke 1 was crazy” and whether the Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) new focus on affordability represents a genuine break from the politics of 2020. They debate whether progressives have actually moved on from the excesses of the pandemic era, whether the DSA’s economic agenda is any more workable, and why affordability has become such a potent message on the left.

The editors also examine how the cost of living is driving infighting on the right, from the online battle over $20 burritos to the larger splits over tariffs, immigration, and the Iran war. They discuss President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to end birthright citizenship and what the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal at Cambridge University says about academia’s lingering ideological problems. Finally, a listener asks whether enormous CEO pay packages and widespread layoffs undermine the case for capitalism.

0:00—Ocasio-Cortez says “Woke 1 was crazy”

15:19—Conservatives debate the cost of burritos

28:49—Trump’s birthright citizenship order

33:12—Listener question on capitalism

46:08—Arday scandal and resignation

55:54—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming events:

Nick Gillespie discusses THC, INC., on Tuesday, August 11, in New York City. Tickets are free but must be reserved.

Mentioned in the podcast:

“The Socialist Surge Revives Failed and Hateful Ideas,” by J.D. Tuccille

“The ‘Affordability’ Agenda That Taxes Your Dinner,” by C. Jarrett Dieterle

“Can You Imagine a Future Where Adults Don’t Believe in Socialism?” by Steven Greenhut

“Socialist Moment,” by Peter Suderman

“Abdul El-Sayed Says He’s Not a Socialist. His Policy Agenda Says Otherwise,” by Robby Soave

“Socialists Are Trying To Take Hold of the Democratic Party—and They’re Winning,” by Zach Weissmueller

“The GOP Is Warning About Socialism While Quietly Embracing It,” by Veronique de Rugy

“Francesca Hong’s Hateful Holidays, Burrito Prices, and Woke 1.0,” by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi

“A Burrito Costs How Much?” by Eric Boehm

“A Viral Tweet Set Off a Discourse on $20 Burritos. Here’s the Truth About Inflation,” by Reem Ibrahim

“Trump’s New Birthright Citizenship Executive Orders Are Mostly Theater,” by Billy Binion

“Trump Issues Another Unconstitutional Executive Order Targeting Birthright Citizenship,” by Ilya Somin

“The Trump Administration Promises the ‘Largest Denaturalization Effort Ever,'” by Billy Binion

“Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business,” by Milton Friedman, John Mackey, and T.J. Rodgers

“Milton Friedman Accused of Making Corporations Greedy,” by Brian Doherty

“Phil Magness: Holding Leftists and Libertarians Accountable,” by Nick Gillespie

“The 1619 Project Unrepentantly Pushes Junk History,” by Phillip W. Magness

“What The New York Times‘ 1619 Project Gets Wrong About Capitalism: Phillip Magness,” by Nick Gillespie

“One Night Only Is a Rare Rom-Com About Regulation,” by Peter Suderman