In reality, many of the populist organizations were very interracial. Over time,
populism became more racist.
Max B. Sawicky wrote:
> Nathan Newman wrote:
>
> > The social safety net is obviously stronger in Europe but that is a lot easier
> > to maintain when you pull up the barricades against poorer, browner immigrants.
> > While I respect the success of European social democracy, it has always had a
> > different challenge than the multicultural, immigration-driven labor system in
> > the United States. This was true in the early part of this century and is true
> >
>
> There is an interesting parallel in this to the history ofthe U.S. Democratic Party
> after the Civil War in the South,
> where a populist current brooded for some time (with
> occasional break-outs). This constituency held progressive
> ideas framed in a racist doctrine, in opposition to the
> alliance between Capital (substantially Northeastern) and
> African-Americans (from which the latter obviously did
> not much benefit). If we grant that race is used to divide
> the working class, we ought to consider that class solidarity
> may facilitate the malign neglect of race.
>
> More broadly, the U.S. may have sacrificed some extent
> of social-democracy for the sake of more open borders
> and a relatively multi-cultural society (compared to
> W. Europe).
>
> The point is not only to seek to change history,
> but to understand it better.
>
> MBS
>
> ====================================================
> Max B. Sawicky 202-775-8810 (voice)
> Economic Policy Institute 202-775-0819 (fax)
> 1660 L Street, NW [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Suite 1200
> Washington, DC 20036
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 916-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
