Example Image
Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
Mar 4, 2025
Contributors
Joel Kotkin

The Democrats’ Coming Civil War

Contributors
Joel Kotkin
Joel Kotkin
Senior Research Fellow
Joel Kotkin
Summary
Voters are tired of failed ‘progressive’ dogmas, even in the Democrats’ urban heartlands. But will the party listen?
Summary
Voters are tired of failed ‘progressive’ dogmas, even in the Democrats’ urban heartlands. But will the party listen?
Listen to this article

At a time when the world press is obsessed with US president Donald Trump and his often imbecilic machinations, perhaps a more consequential struggle is taking place on the other side of the aisle. Trump and his minions may completely control the GOP, but the future of the Democrats is uncertain. The party’s left is locked in battle with those who embrace the party’s traditional values, like support for economic growth and enforcing the law.

Right now, on a national level, the Democratic Party seems to be continuing its movement leftwards. Kamala Harris is still its front-runner for the 2028 presidential election and representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett, who are further to the left, are widely seen as rising stars. Looking at the behaviour of the Democrats and their media allies, they seem to be reprising Talleyrand’s quip that the Bourbon kings of France ‘learnt nothing and forgot nothing’ after the revolution.

At the recent Democratic National Committee election for the party’s new leadership, there was an enduring obsession with race and gender. Veteran Democrat Ruy Teixeira described it as ‘like outtakes from a humanities seminar at a small liberal-arts college’. We saw similar scenes in November, with the backlash received by Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton when he dared to share concerns about his young daughter potentially having to compete against male athletes. As a result, he faced the resignation of key staffers, as well as threats from one university to cancel an internship programme associated with his office.

Continue reading at Spiked

10:13
1x
10:13
More articles

Farewell to the President’s New East Wing

Constitutionalism
Aug 14, 2026

Jimmy Lai: Apostle for Freedom

Politics
Aug 14, 2026
View all

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?

We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.

Richard Samuelson
Politics
Apr 29, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items
How Occupational Licensing Hurts the Poor and Holds Back Growth in America and Around the World

Occupational licensing hurts the poor and holds back growth in America and around the world.

Jonathan Hartley
Politics
Aug 10, 2026
Why Gloria Romero’s Campaign for Obscure Office Will Change CA GOP

Gloria Romero is California’s 'basta ya' candidate.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 7, 2026
New York’s War on its Jews

It can happen on any street corner or at any transit stop and increasingly does: a young man with a yarmulke is assaulted for no apparent reason.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 7, 2026
Rail Giants Hate the $71 Billion Merger. The Rest of Us Should Love It

Based on the record, the case for approving the merger is even stronger than when it was first announced.

Michael Toth
Politics
Aug 7, 2026

Disgraced DEI Professor’s Story Exposes ‘Institutional Rot’ in Universities, Critic Says

Politics
Aug 11, 2026
1:05

DSA Co-Chair Struggles to Explain Millionaire Tax Policy

Politics
Aug 10, 2026
1:05

Bill Maher Torches Dems, Tucker Carlson Builds Third Party

Politics
Aug 7, 2026
1:05

John Yoo Analyzes DOJ Crackdown on Massive COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Politics
Jul 31, 2026
1:05

If Fauci Lies to Congress, He Can be Prosecuted: Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Politics
Jul 28, 2026
1:05
No items found.
No items found.
Jimmy Lai: Apostle for Freedom

Jimmy Lai represents the best of what Hong Kong was.

Jonathan Miltimore
Politics
Aug 14, 2026
The Uses and Abuses of the Pardon Power

The recent flood of pardon controversies shows no signs of abating.

Brian C. Kalt
Politics
Aug 13, 2026
The Fall of Fauci

The greater the scope of authority granted to a single individual, by circumstance or deliberate action, the more important scrutiny and accountability become.

Phillip W. Magness, Edward J. Lopez
Politics
Aug 12, 2026
Can Britain’s Next Prime Minister Escape the Net Zero Trap?

Britain has burned through five Prime Ministers and is paying some of the highest electricity prices in the world.

Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Politics
Jul 8, 2026
No items found.