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Watch: Forum on Banking & Financial Power in the American System
Our latest monthly political forum explored the history of the U.S. financial system and the kinds of public banking models that could help deliver a more just future for the working class.
Sunday 3/10: Forum on Public Banking
This Sunday, March 10th at 4 PM Pacific Time / 7 PM Eastern Time, Voices for New Democracy will host our latest forum on public banking and the financial system
Watch: Forum on Palestine & the War on Gaza
In our latest monthly political forum, Palestinian and Jewish guest speakers covered the long history of Palestinian struggle against colonialism and apartheid, from the 1948 Nakba to the ongoing atrocities against civilians in Gaza.
Can the US Left Become a Force of Real Political Consequence?
Steve Clark argues why the left should look to the successful history of CPAC to chart our future
Watch: Forum on the Fight for Immigrant Rights
Our latest forum on the fight for immigrant rights covered everything from the political economy of immigration to the experience of undocumented student organizing.
October Forum: Lessons from Chile
With September 11th marking the 50th anniversary of Pinochet’s military coup in Chile, Voices for New Democracy held a forum discussing the latest developments on the Chilean left and the lessons they hold for organizers worldwide.
September Forum: Hot Labor Summer
Temperatures are finally dropping on the East Coast as fall sets in, and the Hot Labor Summer is quickly shifting into Striketober. Though the Writers Guild of America just won their strike with important steps forward for protecting writers amid the shift to streaming media, the Screen Actors Guild remains on strike against the studios.…
Why Is the US Fanning Flames of War with China?
Marjorie Cohen discusses why U.S. actions intensify the danger of nuclear war in the Asia-Pacific.
Learning from Chile: Navigating Complexities of Political Crises
Chileans were unable to turn a national uprising into transformation of the social order. For the US there is much to learn about relationships between left government, movements, and popular protagonism and the importance of political clarity, socialist strategy and organization.
Forum: How Financial Markets Abandoned the Real Economy Forever
Economic journalist and author Nomi Prins joined our August monthly political forum to discuss the growing divide between financial markets and the real economy.
Hawaiian Activist Voices on the Lahaina Fire
Dennis Torigoe shares indigenous Hawaiian perspectives on the destruction of Lahaina and its economic and historical causes.
September Forum: Hot Labor Summer
Join us for our next forum on the new labor movement and “Hot Labor Summer” on Sunday, September 10th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET
Connecting the Local & National with the International
Jose Calderon discusses the need for progressive movements to build alliances across borders to end the systems oppressing working people at home and abroad.
Commentary: We Need a Ceasefire in Ukraine
Dennis Torigoe discusses a recent open letter in the New York Times calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine
Watch: Forum on the Democratic Socialists of America
Two NYC-DSA members joined our latest monthly political forum to discuss the largest chapter of the country’s largest socialist organization.
Watch: Forum on The Global Crisis, Ukraine and the Fight against Nuclear War
Last month, Voices for New Democracy hosted our latest monthly political forum discussing contemporary global crises, including Ukraine and the fight against nuclear war. Hosted by Dennis Torigoe with commentary from Jerry Tung and Bob Anderson, the forum touched on the factors at play in the current war in Ukraine and the threat of nuclear…
Watch: Forum on Politics at the Local Level
Watch our latest monthly political forum on the opportunities — and challenges — of fighting for progressive politics at the local level.
Watch: Forum on 2022 Elections and Meeting the Moment
Watch our latest monthly political forum on the 2022 elections and why Phil Thompson thinks this is the moment the Left has been waiting for.
Webinar: Brazil Elections, What’s At Stake?
Hear analysis and discussion on the stakes of Brazil’s historic upcoming elections
Watch: Forum on the Future of American Socialism
Watch our latest monthly political forum on the future of American socialism.
September 11 Monthly Political Forum: The Future of American Socialism
Join our next monthly political forum this Sunday, September 11.
Watch: Monthly Political Forum on Labor and Reproductive Justice
Jean Quan facilitated our latest monthly political forum on labor and reproductive justice, featuring Elise Bryant and Virginia Rodino of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Watch: Monthly Political Forum on China and the New World Order
On Sunday, July 17th, Voices for New Democracy hosted our latest monthly political forum on “China and the New World Order.” Moderated by Voices editor José Z. Calderón, our guest this month was attorney, educator, and civil rights leader Stewart Kwoh. Kwoh is the founding President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice —…
Watch: A Brief History of the American Labor Movement
Voices for New Democracy contributor and Director of the UCLA Labor Center Kent Wong recently joined Senator Bernie Sanders and special guests Dr. Cornel West, Professor Tobias Higbie, and Professor Dana Caldemeyer for an hour-long discussion of the history of the American Labor Movement. Watch the full conversation below.
The Handmaid’s Tale is Reality
Sherri Donovan discusses the terrifying consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling against abortion.
Watch: Monthly Political Forum on the Threat of World War III
Watch our latest monthly political forum with Sherri Donovan and Jerry Tung, moderated by Dennis Torigoe.
June 5 Monthly Political Forum: Are We Heading Towards World War III?
Find readings for our next monthly political forum with Jerry Tung and Sherri Donovan.
Democracy, Strategy, Modes of Struggle: The High-Stakes Strife in DSA
Core questions of political strategy animate the debate roiling DSA. The whole Left has a stake in the outcome.
Military Buildup Ain’t The Way
Military buildup is not the way to peace, climate change, or a safer, sustainable and productive earth that serves the majority of people.
Watch: May Day Forum with Gerry Hudson
Watch our May Day forum with SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Gerry Hudson.
Collective Bargaining and the Future of U.S. Labor
Kent Wong explores the role of and challenges to collective bargaining in U.S. labor relations.
Watch: Forum on Ukraine, The New Cold War, and The Changing International Situation
In our latest monthly political forum, we debate the implications of ongoing international conflicts.
March 20 Monthly Political Forum: Ukraine, The New Cold War & The Changing International Situation
Join Voices for New Democracy on Sunday March 20th at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT for our next monthly political forum discussing the war on Ukraine, the new Cold War, and the changing international situation. Spring Wang, Steve Clark, and Floyd Huen will share their reflections on the ongoing conflict and its implications for international…
A Tribute to Marty Nathan
We invite you to join us in remembering our comrade Marty Nathan and reflecting on her legacy.
Worker to Worker, Union to Union: Building U.S.-China Solidarity
Kent Wong explores the history of the evolving relationship between the U.S. and Chinese labor movements, and the importance of building links of international solidarity.
Watch: Forum on Progressive Electoral Organizing with Linda Burnham & Max Elbaum
This past Sunday, Voices for New Democracy joined our comrades at Convergence Magazine for a conversation with Linda Burnham and Max Elbaum around their new book, Power Concedes Nothing: How Grassroots Organizing Wins Elections, a collection of essays exploring grassroots mobilization as the key to electoral power. Burnham and Elbaum discussed their work with Convergence, pulled…
Power Concedes Nothing: February 27 Monthly Political Forum with Linda Burnham & Max Elbaum
Join us on Sunday, February 27th for our next monthly political forum with Linda Burnham & Max Elbaum on their new book, Power Concedes Nothing: How Grassroots Organizing Wins Elections.
Watch: Forum on Black Liberation with Robin D. G. Kelley
Watch our latest monthly political forum on Black liberation with Robin D. G. Kelley
Comment on the Biden Administration’s Continued Support of Trump-Era Immigration Title 42 and Remain in Mexico Policies
The Biden administration is continuing Trump-era immigration policy. The Left must organize against it.
Movement Building is Essential to Advance Immigration Reform
Kent Wong discusses the need to support the immigrant workers movement and immigrant youth movement — not rely on the Democratic Party — in the fight for immigrant justice.
1/23 Forum on Black Liberation with Robin D. G. Kelley
Join our next monthly political forum on Black liberation with Robin D. G. Kelley at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 23rd.
Mass Migration, Land Back and a Sustainable Earth
With climate change poised to drive reshape global geography and demography, the path forward is plagued with contradictions. What is to be done?
Remembering Lani Guinier
As we mourn the passing of Lani Guinier, we remember her 1999 remarks on the Greensboro Massacre
Robin D. G. Kelley Interview & Forum
Join our next monthly political forum with Professor Robin D. G. Kelley on January 23rd at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET
Watch: Forum on the Climate Crisis
In our latest monthly political forum, we discussed the climate crisis and its political possibilities.
Capitalism, Ecology, and the Green New Deal
Why the Green New Deal is our best shot at tackling the climate crisis while advancing economic and social justice.
12/12 Forum on the Climate Crisis: Background Reading
Join our next monthly political forum on Sunday, December 12th as we discuss the climate crisis and possibilities for change
Watch: Forum on Voting Rights with Penda Hair & Dayna Cunningham
In our latest monthly political forum, we were joined by civil rights attorneys Penda Hair and Dayna Cunningham to discuss voting rights in the United States.
Join us November 14th: Forum on Voting Rights with Penda Hair
Join our November political forum on voting rights this Sunday, featuring Penda Hair and moderated by Dayna Cunningham.
Politics Should Frame the On-Going Discussion of MMT and the Dollar Regime
Steve Clark and Tom Clark discuss the insights generated by the October forum on MMT, and their domestic and international implications.
Monetary Imperialism & Apartheid in Africa: The CFA Franc
Sherri Donovan discusses the financial and monetary policy of the African Financial Community (CFA) and its legacy of French colonialism
Watch 10/3 MMT Forum, Join 10/10 Follow-Up Discussion
Watch our latest monthly political forum on Modern Monetary Theory, and join our follow-up discussion on Sunday, 10/10.
THE US DOLLAR REGIME
In advance of our upcoming forum on Modern Monetary Theory, Dennis Torigoe builds on his recent article on MMT, “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency,” and addresses responses to it.
MMT Forum: Background Reading
In advance of our upcoming forum on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) this Sunday, October 3rd, our panelists have assembled a helpful list of background materials to ground your understanding of MMT before our discussion. While Voices for New Democracy has published a number of pieces relating to MMT (here, here, here, and here), these additional…
Forum: What’s The Hype Around Modern Monetary Theory (MMT)?
Join our next forum on Modern Monetary Theory on Sunday, October 3rd, 4pm PT / 7pm ET.
Watch: Forum on Palestine, 2021 Unity Uprising, and Beyond
Our latest forum with Danya of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network discusses the history of Palestinian resistance and contemporary political developments in the region.
Post-Industrial Systemic Transformative Thinking in the Contemporary Period
Tracing a thread from the 1980s to the present, José Z. Calderón explores the emerging movements to reorganize the structures of production and distribution in our economy.
Watch: Voices for New Democracy Forum With The Poor People’s Campaign
Our latest forum with Roz Pelles and Lucy Lewis discusses the work of the Poor People’s Campaign in advancing the fight against poverty at grassroots and national levels.
“A Season of Action”: Women at Center of Fight to Protect Voting Rights Step Up to Save Democracy
The attack on democracy currently playing out in D.C. and in state legislatures like Texas is the worst we have seen since Reconstruction. At the center of this crisis are poor women—especially poor women of color.
Is a Progressive Majority in Texas Possible?
Matt Perrenod speaks to Mike Siegel on Ground Game Texas.
Political Possibilites in the South & Sun Belt
Matt Perrenod discusses his new work focusing on the intersection of grassroots and electoral organizing, and their path to political power, throughout the South and the Sun Belt.
Steve Clark Responds to “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency”
Responding to Dennis Torigoe’s recent piece on “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency,” Steve Clark discusses how an empowered American Left can reshape global financial systems through Modern Monetary Theory.
Tom Clark Responds to “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency”
Responding to Dennis Torigoe’s recent piece on “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency,” Tom Clark argues that Modern Monetary Theory can be a force for progressive internationalism.
Signe Waller Foxworth Responds to “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency”
Responding to Dennis Torigoe’s recent piece on “The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency,” Signe Waller Foxworth questions the potential impact of Modern Monetary Theory on international finance.
Truth & Reconciliation in Greensboro
Nelson & Joyce Johnson, founders of Greensboro’s Beloved Community Center, sketch out some of those values, assumptions and strategic objectives to establish a North Carolina Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC).
At Last. Progressive Power Assets Itself.
Progressives in Congress are using their power more effectively than ever. They can’t let this opportunity slip by.
Watch: Voices for New Democracy Forum With the Beloved Community Center
Our latest forum with Nelson and Joyce Johnson discusses their work building the Beloved Community Center and advancing justice in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency
Dennis Torigoe explores the role of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency and the implications of Modern Monetary Theory in shaping the global economy.
Commentary: The Root Cause of Central American Migration Is US Imperialism
As Vice President Harris claims she will work to address the “root causes” of Central American migration, scholar and VND forum guest Miguel Tinker Salas explains why this must begin with US empire.
Commentary: The Dream of a Unionized New Orleans Is Coming True
A new article from In These Times sheds light on union efforts in key Southern hospitality economies, and how they can help renew the labor movement on a national level.
Climate Change, Social Justice Stalk World’s Central Banks
Whether from capitalist or socialist perspectives, many central banks and a growing number of governors recognize mounting ecological risks and, thus, the danger of economic collapse.
Watch: Voices for New Democracy Forum on Economic Democracy
Our latest forum with J. Phillip Thompson discusses emerging trends in political economy and possibilities for transforming our systems through Economic Democracy.
Essay: What is Economic Democracy?
In this extended essay, J. Phillip Thompson explores new possibilities for transforming our political economy through new systems under the banner of Economic Democracy.
The Deep Roots of Anti-Asian Violence
Today’s crisis is an opportunity for Asian Americans to stand with people of conscience to demand a multi-racial democracy that the U.S. has never fully embraced.
Long Live the Day Laborers!
Professor José Calderón pays homage to José Fernando Pedraza and the movement to organize day laborers.
Commentary: No, China didn’t steal our jobs. Corporate America gave them away.
How the left can push back against narratives that divide the international working class.
Watch: Voices for New Democracy Immigration Forum
Our latest forum on immigration lays out the domestic and international context of the current moment, and explores possibilities for change.
The Coming Crisis in Affordable Rentals: Don’t Let a Crisis Go To Waste!
With the federal eviction moratorium under attack from landlords, now is the time to consider how we can rebuild a more sustainable affordable housing system.
Amazon Appears to Defeat Bessemer Union Drive. What Went Wrong?
The historic union drive at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, AL appears to have been defeated. Jane McAlevey offers a post-mortem on the campaign.
Forum on Labor’s Future: Possibilities for Labor Transformation
As part of our recent Forum on Labor’s Future, panelist Eric Gill discussed strategies for union transformation and the importance of such struggles.
Forum on Labor’s Future: International Solidarity
As part of our recent Forum on Labor’s Future, panelist Carolyn Kazdin discussed the importance of international solidarity work for the American labor movement and labor struggles worldwide.
Forum on Labor’s Future: Labor and Social Justice Movements
As part of our recent Forum on Labor’s Future, panelist Joe Alvarez discussed the relationship between the American labor movement and growing social justice movements like Black Lives Matter.
Forum on Labor’s Future: The State of the American Labor Movement
As part of our recent Forum on Labor’s Future, UCLA Labor Center Director Kent Wong discussed the state of the American labor movement.
Watch: Forum on the Future of the Labor Movement
Watch the first of our new forum series, a “Forum on Labor’s Future.”
Commentary: On Solidarity with AAPI Communities
As we mourn the horrific shootings in Atlanta, we must confront the long history of anti-Asian racism and forge solidarity.
Commentary: On the Narratives Around the Atlanta Massacre
What the lessons of Greensboro 1979 tell us about how we frame the attacks in Atlanta.
Commentary: On the Atlanta Massacre
As we mourn the tragic violence in Atlanta, we reflect on what it takes to heal.
Commentary: The Unionizing Workers Who Became Amazon’s Biggest Threat
What the unionization drive of Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama could mean for the American labor movement.
The Left Should Be Talking About GameStop
The video game retailer’s stock price exposes the flaws of capitalism.
Commentary: A Job Guarantee Can Challenge Growth and Fight Climate Change
It’s time to stop talking about “growth” as a thing in itself. A Job Guarantee can help.
NGO-Led Investment is Key to Community Development in US
As we recover from the pandemic, CDFIs could be key to delivering robust – and equitable – community development.
Is the U.S. Now in the Weimar Era?
A response to Walden Bello on the state of crisis in the U.S.
Like It or Not, Space Force is a Thing…
“I like space and technology, but what is going on here is a wild ride pushed by the war profiteers and imperialist policies”
Public Banks Revolution
The movement for Public Banks is growing.
“Once In A While There Are Rainbows” – Podcast on Immigrant Justice
| José Calderón | Thank you to Professor James McKeever for this interview and his podcast that is advancing new and innovative scholarly roads. Please connect with this podcast for an informative discussion on the significance of community-based scholarship and the possibilities for creating new models of racial equity and quality of life that are…
Capitol Assault, Shay’s Rebellion and the Footballs of Mass Consciousness
| Steve Clark | After 57 percent of white voters went for Trump in November and, then, a section of them stormed the Capitol this week, progressive people are asking, “What is the deal with white Americans?” It’s a good question. Obviously, Trump made it ok to stand up for white supremacy, and he made…
Event: Racism and Policing in the U.S.A.
Police stand by while white supremacist mobs run amok. Black Lives Matter and other protests by the left are attacked with impunity. Police use deadly force against ordinary citizens, disproportionately people of color. All of this is current, but none of it is new. The Oakland Greens, Bay Area System Change Not Climate Change, and the…
Commentary: Capitol Rioters and the White Working Class
| Robert Glassman | I think the evidence would show that the overwhelming base of support for the violent clown car attempted coup at the Capitol was not white working class, but the expected fascist base of petit bourgeois and lumpen elements. Almost every article I’ve read about those arrested bears this out. Their social…
What The Left Can Learn From the Story of the CWP
| Harrison Neuhaus | Racist violence with minimal intervention from a sympathetic police force is a recurring theme throughout American history. The Left has long recognized affinity between the state and white supremacy as a key obstacle to social liberation. But as today’s Left grapples with a rising far-right and historic crises of legitimacy and…
Transcending Tribalism
| Steve Clark | In this interview, Alaine Duncan looks at our nation as a “trauma survivor” and discusses how to transcend tribalism. A challenge for our nation’s tribes is learning to tolerate our own discomfort and not perceive discomfort as unsafe. Transcending Tribalism Alaine Duncan graduated from acupuncture school in 1990 and completed Somatic…
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