Don’t Miss a Thing

Get our latest essays, archival selections, reading lists, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

A protester taking part in Occupy Oakland, 2011. Glenn Halog / Flickr

Reading List July 17, 2018

Liberalism and the Left

American politics has seen the fiercest resurgence of left-liberal conflict since the 1960s.

In the twilight of the Obama years and the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, American politics witnessed the fiercest resurgence of left-liberal conflict since the 1960s. This battle recently came to a head in a stunning electoral upset: Democratic Socialist of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat out incumbent Representative Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th congressional district.

As progressives of all stripes mobilize weeks ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, the debate roils on. These pieces from our recent archive survey what’s at issue—from identity politics, Black Lives Matter activism, and the legacy of the Clintons, to the Sanders campaign, revitalized calls for socialism, and the future of the Democratic Party.

—Matt Lord

Doug Rossinow

The Clinton-Sanders conflict betrays the contentious history of the Democratic Party, and holds the key to its future.

Samuel Moyn

The critique of identity politics ignores the role that neoliberalism and neoconservatism have played in creating our present situation.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Bernie Sanders is all-but defeated. What next for progressive activists?
Eli Zaretsky, Sean Fabery
An Interview with Eli Zaretsky
Rick Perlstein
Democrats must embrace an economic liberalism superjumbo, and they must stick with it even if they lose.
Tom Hayden

The Port Huron Statement’s core message is timeless but not dogmatic: we all need participatory democracy.

Andrew J. Bacevich

To read the new biography of Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. is to appreciate that Schlesinger's America has vanished, as has his unique brand of liberalism.

Our weekly themed Reading Lists compile the best of Boston Review’s archive. Previews are delivered to members every Sunday. Become a member to receive them ahead of the crowd.

Boston Review is nonprofit and reader funded.

Contributions from readers enable us to provide a public space, free and open, for the discussion of ideas. Join this effort – become a supporting reader today.

Sign Up for Our
Newsletter

Vital reading on politics, literature, and more in your inbox. Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter, Monthly Roundup, and event notifications.

Most Recent

Family policing is deeply unjust. The nuclear family is too.

Will Holub-Moorman

Workers will benefit from technology when they control how it’s used.

Brishen Rogers

Twenty years later, the U.S.-led invasion continues to shape geopolitics for the worse.

Boston Review

Supporter Membership

$100 / year

If you love Boston Review, support us with this biggest yearly membership.

Membership at this level includes:

  • Print subscription to Boston Review
    (4 issues/year)
  • Digital subscription to Boston Review
    (4 issues/year)
  • Access to our member portal and entire digital archive
  • Curated weekend Reading List
  • Weekly From the Archive newsletter

Digital Membership

$25 / year

Get even more out of Boston Reviewwith our digital membership.

Membership at this level includes:

  • Digital subscription to Boston Review
    (4 issues/year)
  • Access to our member portal and entire digital archive
  • Curated weekend Reading List
  • Weekly From the Archive newsletter

Print Membership

$50 / year

Turn the pages of Boston Review with our best value membership. 

Membership at this level includes:

  • Print subscription to Boston Review
    (4 issues/year)
  • Digital subscription to Boston Review
    (4 issues/year)
  • Access to our member portal and entire digital archive
  • Curated weekend Reading List
  • Weekly From the Archive newsletter