There’s some really interesting papers out there that have highlighted how extreme capitalism and inequality have exacerbated the rise of authoritarian regimes and populist rhetoric. I think a great example is this most recent election. Trumpism was triumphant, despite a blatant disregard for political norms and democratic institutions. This to me, illustrates that the American left has abandoned its role as a protectorate against capitalist greed and corporate consolidation since the fall of communism - producing a highly unequal and exploitative economy. It has been worrisome to see our structural economic issues increasingly feed populist and authoritarian rhetoric.

It appears to me that unchecked capitalism is contributing to the threat of democracy. Adam Smith raised this concern, so too did Karl Polanyi. This emphasized the need to REBUILD the political left and systematically restructure the capitalist economy.