We Own the Future

A stunningly original and timely collection that makes the case for socialism, American styleIt's a strange day when a New York Times conservative columnist is forced to admit that the left is winning, but as David Brooks wrote recently, the American left is on the cusp of a great victory. Among Americans under thirty, 43 percent had a favorable view of socialism, while only 32 percent had a favorable view of capitalism. Not since the Great Depression have so many Americans questioned the fundamental tenets of capitalism and expressed openness to a socialist alternative.We Own the Future: Democratic Socialism-American Style offers a road map to making this alternative a reality, giving readers a practical vision of a future that is more democratic, egalitarian, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. The book includes a crash course in the history and practice of democratic socialism, a vivid picture of what democratic socialism in America might look like in practice, and compelling proposals for how to get there from the age of Trump and beyond.With contributions from some of the nation's leading political activists and analysts, We Own the Future articulates a clear and uncompromising view from the left-a perfectly timed book that will appeal to a wide audience hungry for change.Table of ContentsPart I: Is a New America Possible? Introduction Kate Aronoff, Peter Dreier, and Michael Kazin How Socialists Changed America Peter Dreier and Michael KazinToward a Third ReconstructionAndrea Flynn, Susan Holmberg, Dorian Warren, and Felicia WongA Three-Legged Stool for Racial and Economic JusticeDarrick HamiltonDemocratic Socialism for a Climate-Changed CenturyNaomi KleinPart II: Expanding DemocracyGoverning SocialismBill Fletcher Jr.We the People: Voting Rights, Campaign Finance, and Election ReformJ. Mijin ChaConfronting Corporate PowerRobert KuttnerBuilding the People's BanksDavid DayenDemocracy, Equality, and the Future of WorkersSarita Gupta, Stephen Lerner, and Joseph A. McCartinWho Gets to Be Safe? Prisons, Police, and TerrorAviva StahlOn Immigration: A Socialist Case for Open BordersMichelle ChenOn Foreign Policy: War from Above, Solidarity from BelowTejasvi NagarajaPart III: The Right to a Good LifeLivable CitiesThomas J. SugrueWhat Does Health Equity Require? Racism and the Limits of Medicare for AllDorothy RobertsThe Family of the FutureSarah LeonardDefending and Improving Public EducationPedro NogueraReclaiming Competition: Sports and SocialismDavid Zirin What About a Well-Fed Artist? Imagining Cultural Work in a Democratic Socialist SocietyFrancesca FiorentiniHow Socialism Surged, and How It Can Go FurtherHarold MeyersonAfterword: A Day in the Life of a Socialist CitizenMichael Walzer