Government Shutdown: Fixing Democrats’ Strategy

Here’s a breakdown of the main⁤ points of the article, focusing on the author’s argument and supporting evidence:

Core Argument:

The author argues that Democrats should adopt a⁤ strategy of “losing loudly” – taking a firm, public stand ⁤on⁢ principles (like refusing to negotiate with those who won’t honor agreements)⁣ even if it means short-term political defeat. This isn’t about winning immediate concessions, ⁣but about building broader resistance to ⁢what the author sees ‍as Trump’s authoritarianism and creating the conditions for long-term victory.

Supporting Points & Evidence:

* ⁢ Matt Yglesias‘ Suggestion: The author points to ‍Matt Yglesias’ proposal that ⁣Democrats should insist on agreements the other side will actually keep, and hold that line until Republicans are willing to change Senate rules (nuking the filibuster) to end the shutdown.
* ⁢ Beyond Short-Term Politics: The author believes the strategy goes beyond simply winning policy battles. They acknowledge Democrats likely won’t be able to legally⁤ constrain Trump through legislation.
* Social⁣ Movement Theory: the author‍ draws on the work of Michael Brownstein, ⁤Alex Madva, and Daniel Kelly, who argue that ⁤people join social movements not because they expect immediate success, but because participation itself builds the foundation for future change.
* “Losing Loudly”⁢ as a Tactic: the concept of “losing loudly” – making a visible, principled stand even⁢ in a losing ⁣battle – is presented as a way to inspire others ⁤to get involved. The example of Texas Democrats fleeing the state to ‍protest gerrymandering is used to illustrate this.
* Research on Anti-Authoritarian Protests: The author cites research⁣ on protests in Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Turkey, which found that protesters ⁢often didn’t believe their actions would immediately topple⁤ the government.However, their participation was still‍ crucial. (Ukraine is noted as an exception where protests did lead to change).

In essence, the article advocates for a long-term, principled approach to ⁤resisting perceived authoritarianism, even if it means accepting‍ short-term political setbacks. The author believes that‍ visible resistance can ⁢galvanize broader⁣ support and ultimately create the conditions for lasting‍ change.