#134 Where the Democrats Went Wrong

Have You Heard heads back to the Clinton-era to understand the origins of the Democrats’ fondness for market-based solutions to social and economic problems. We’re joined by historian Lily Geismer, author of the new book Left Behind: The Democrats' Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality. Geismer tells the story of how Clinton and other “new” Democrats moved away from using government and economic redistribution to address poverty and inequality. Instead, they embraced market-based solutions, like microfinance and charter schools. Fast forward forty years and inequality now threatens the social fabric, while the Democrats decision to distance themselves from organized labor seems increasingly misguided.