Political Dharma: Recent Episodes
Alan Zundel
Alan hosts a regular video/podcast on politics and its historical, ethical, spiritual, and activist aspects. Alan has been a political science professor, a meditation teacher, and a mental health counselor as well as a political activist. For more information go to www.politicaldharma.com. Opening and closing music courtesy of composers Joey Helpish and Patty Rose; check out strpod.com.
Alan clarifies the story about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the FEC, and the upcoming CNN Presidential debate. He also discusses RFK and Green Party ballot access progress and challenges, and how the Libertarian Party is trying to resolve disputes over its Presidential nominee.
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Alan talks about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.s ballot access progress in light of the requirements for the Presidential debate, the Green Party getting behind Jill Stein, and the forces breaking apart the Libertarian Party.
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Alan gives updates on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s progress in obtaining ballot access, the plan of "Libertarians for Kennedy" to help RFK get on the ballot in some states, RFK's statement on the Trump convictions, and the resolution of Biden's ballot access problem in Ohio.
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Alan gives updates on the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Jill Stein campaigns, plus an extended discussion of the Libertarian Party national convention and its aftermath.
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Updates from May 5th through May 24th which Alan could not upload previously. He reviews Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s progress in obtaining ballot access, events in advance of the Libertarian Party national convention, and a few other items.
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Updates: the Oregon assembly to place Robert F. Kennedy on the ballot has been cancelled, and Libertarians around the nation have written RFK urging him to seek their Presidential nomination.
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Alan discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s call to Joe Biden to drop out; the ballot access progress of RFK and Cornel West; the Libertarian Party dispute over Donald Trump's agreement to speak at their national convention; the surprising Presidential nomination of the Constitution Party; and more.
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Alan gives updates on the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. campaign as well as those of a couple minor parties, and then returns to discussing the process of the Presidential election. This time he assesses how RFK could win, whether in the electoral college vote or a contingent election.
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Alan gives an extensive discussion of the possibilities for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to win in the electoral college or to cause a contingent election, and how a contingent election might turn out. He also gives ballot access updates on RFK and Cornel West--and the ballot access problem of Joe Biden.
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Alan discusses the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign worker who said voting for RFK will help elect Donald Trump. He also give updates on RFK ballot access progress, Cornel West's pick for Vice President, and the race for the Presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party.
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Alan discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr'.'s progress in ballot access, No Labels pseudo-party giving up, and protest votes vs. Joe Biden & Donald Trump in the primaries. To help support the Political Dharma podcast, go to https://www.politicaldharma.com
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Alan discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Vice Presidential pick Nicole Shannahan; American Values 2024's long range plan; Nevada's refusal to accept Kennedy petitions; new attacks on Kennedy campaign; and Claudia De la Cruz's progress in ballot access. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan gives updates on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Vice-Presidential pick and Jill Stein's dispute with the Federal Election Commission, then talks about why he has been focusing the podcasts on RFK's campaign. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan reports on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s upcoming Vice Presidential announcement; the Kennedy Super PAC American Values 2024 stopping its signature gathering, No Labels' decision on a nomination process; Cornel West's ballot access in Utah; and the People Party's Nick Brana popping up in the Kennedy campaign. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan talks about the hypocrisy of the US Supreme Court's Trump ballot access decision; RFK's gain of ballot access in two more states; & a Cornel West nomination loss in California. He also reviews last week's major party primaries. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan talks about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s speech to the California Libertarian Party and the audience's response; RFK's progress in ballot access and how his candidacy could disrupt the 2-party system; states removing Trump from the ballot; and what's happening in the major party primaries. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan discusses the rejection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as a Presidential nominee by the Mises Caucus of the Libertarian Party; RFK and Cornel West's progress in gaining ballot access; and this weekend's major party primaries. To help support Political Dharma you can make a donation via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SNUHH2GAX5GVW
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Alan discusses the distorted media controversy over the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Super Bowl ad; the Breaking Points focus group for supporters of RFK; RFK's lawsuit challenging Idaho's ballot access rules; and the implications of Green Party candidate Jill Stein's case against the Federal Elections Commission. To help support Political Dharma, you can donate via this secure link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SNUHH2GAX5GVW
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Alan presents more info on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s discussions with libertarians and describes how the Democratic establishment is targeting RFK, Cornel West and Jill Stein. He also gives his take on this week's major party primaries and the Supreme Court hearing on the Trump ballot access case
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Alan gives updates on last episode's news about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West. He then presents and analyzes results from a couple of recent voter opinion polls about the Presidential candidates. He also talks about how Trump Republicans are rigging the party's primary process. To help Political Dharma keep going, give a donation via https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. considers running with the Libertarian Party; RFK & Cornel West expand their ballot access; Alan explains the difference in ballot access for major party, minor party, & independent candidates; and the results of the New Hampshire primaries. To help support Political Dharma, go to: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
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Alan discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s creation of new political parties in several states, the unusual Democratic primary in New Hampshire, No Labels' charges of conspiracy against Democrats, Jill Stein's appeal to the Supreme Court, and other stories.
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Alan discusses how the Democrats are rigging the upcoming caucuses and primaries to favor Joe Biden. He gives an update on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s ballot access campaign--will RFK be announcing his pick for Vice President this week? Plus Cornel West, Green Party ballot access, etc.
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Alan examines a recent poll showing that support for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and other Presidential candidates, including Cornel West and Jill Stein, has not changed much during the last month. He also looks at the options the U.S. Supreme Court could take in the Colorado case barring Donald Trump from the ballot, and how this could work to Kennedy's benefit.
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Alan talks about the progress of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West in getting ballot access, as well as the ballot access of the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, and No Labels. Also segments on Democratic primary candidate Dean Phillips and what RFK, Jr. says about the Electoral College.
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Alan talks about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s drive to get ballot access in states across the U.S., the Super PAC involved in it, and where the funding seems to be coming from.
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Alan examines a recent public opinion poll showing Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has the highest net favorability rating among Presidential candidates. He also takes a look at Jill Stein's entry into the race and how that will affect the political situation.
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Alan gives updates on the new NY Times polling results for RFK Jr., the Cornel West campaign, and Jill Stein's entry into the race. He then discusses how and why RFK Jr. talks about his spirituality, and fits it into changes happening among voters.
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Alan explains why RFK, Jr.'s candidacy in the 2024 Presidential election may precipitate a party realignment, similar especially to the 1968 Presidential election. He also uses a recent public opinion poll to show which voters RFK's support is coming from.
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Alan goes into detail about how the Electoral College presents a big obstacle to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in his quest to win the Presidential election. He uses the examples of Ross Perot in 1992 and Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 as previous third party candidates who did well, and talks about current political conditions which may bring unexpected twists.
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Alan interviews David Moskowitz, an attorney who wrote a book on problems in legal philosophy using Trump's attempts to subvert the Electoral College in 2020 as an example. They discuss how the Electoral College actually works, the upcoming trials of Donald Trump for trying to subvert the process, and how all of this may affect the 2024 election and a possible second Trump Presidency.
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Alan assesses Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s campaign for President as a independent candidate. He looks at RFK, Jr.'s announcement speech and campaign ads, their themes and tone, and how well they seem to fit public opinion at this point in time. He also compares the RFK candidacy to that of Cornel West and gives some thoughts on the crisis in the Middle East.
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Cornel West has left the Green Party to become an independent Presidential candidate and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is expected to soon announce he will run as an independent as well. Alan explores Dr. West's motives and points to the Electoral College as the chief impediment for both candidates.
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What's new on Cornel West's campaign plan? Why does his campaign matter? Does the Green Party have a democracy problem? Your burning questions thoughtfully answered here!
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Who is Peter Daou, Cornel West's new campaign manager? What is his background? What is his motive? And why did West bring him in? Alan gives his perspective on this development.
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Alan discusses Cornel West's reponse to Bernie Sanders' argument about protecting democracy. Is the Democratic establishment really pro-democracy? Is the United States a democracy? Did Democrats pave the way for delegitimizing elections?
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Is Bernie Sanders right that progressives should unify behind Joe Biden? Did Green Party candidate Jill Stein cause Hillary Clinton to lose the 2016 Presidential election? Listen and find out!
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Cornel West speaks on RFK, Jr. as potential running mate; Do "sore loser" laws apply to Presidential candidates? and Dr. West answers accusations of hypocrisy for owing back taxes.
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Will Cornel West join a "unity" ticket with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? What does West say about the risk of being a "spoiler" in 2024? How is he answering questions from Green Party members as he seeks their nomination? Listen to find out!
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Alan interviews Jen M of the Democratic Socialists of America about their recent national convention. They discuss the composition of the new national committee, resolutions that passed, and where the DSA is headed over the next couple of years.
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Alan assesses a voter survey used by Newsweek to hype the idea that Cornel West would be a "spoiler" in the 2024 Presidential election. He also touches on survey findings regarding Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
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Brief updates on the upcoming Democratic Socialists of American convention & yesterday's Congressional testimony of UFO whistleblower David Grusch, followed by an explanation of the problems of the Green Party in historical context.
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Alan interviews Steve Welzer, the editor of Green Horizon magazine. Steve is a long-time member of both the Green Party of the United States and the Democratic Socialists of America. He talks about the spread of eco-socialist views within the Green Party and DSA, his defense of the Green Party against charges of "dysfunction," and his views on the Cornel West campaign for President.
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Alan talks about issues the Democratic Socialists of America will confront at their upcoming national convention. He also questions how Cornel West's campaign for the Green Party nomination for President will affect DSA's strategic deliberations.
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Alan corrects his misspelling of Cornel West's name and gives updates on Green Party ballot access, STAR Voting campaigns in Oregon, and his video/podcast.
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Alan takes up the question of whether the Green Party of the U.S. is dysfunctional. He examines the concept of "grassroots democracy" and critiques some of the ways it has been translated into practices.
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Alan discusses the potential for Dr. West's candidacy as a nominee of the Green Party, strategic reasons for supporting the Green Party, and some pros and cons of the party. He also outlines the nomination process of the party and examines which states it is likely have a ballot line in.
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Alan assess Dr. Cornell West's chances for getting on the ballot as a Presidential candidate. He also discusses reports of crashed UFO remnants being secretly analyzed by the U.S. military.
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Alan explains why he hasn't uploaded a video in over a month. He also talks about voting method reform efforts in Oregon, his concerns about the Democratic Socialists of America, and developments in the Presidential primary races.
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Can the recent revival of a socialist movement move to a new level by rethinking old assumptions? Alan scrutinizes old ideas concerning the working class as the driver of socialism, class warfare, the nationalization of key industries, and approaches to electoral politics.
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Alan discusses the intersection of socialism and religion, the academic search for a universal personal religious experience, and the implications of this for understanding the role of religion in politics.
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Alan describes what politics and power involve, the forms of power and the internal contradictions of political power, and the implications of all this for political practice.
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Alan explains why the profit-seeking incentive of businesses in a capitalist economic system is socially destructive. He discusses Marx's ideas about the exploitation of labor in his critique of classical economics, and then he makes the case that profits are mostly obtained by unequal bargaining power and the use of political power to back it up. He finishes by talking about the culture of a political movement, using Gandhi as an example.
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Alan goes through the basic ideas of Karl Marx as presented in Engels' "Socialism: Utopian and Scientific." At the same time he critiques these ideas, pointing out their strong and weak areas.
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Alan talks about his encounters with Marx's ideas over the decades, his attitudes toward them, and some ways he would revise them going forward.
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Alan gives simplified pictures of neo-liberal capitalism, progressive democratic socialism, state socialism, and market socialism, comparing who decides where resources will be invested for what purposes, who controls the work enterprise, and how basic necessities of life are distributed. He makes the case that a form of market socialism is better than the other two forms of socialism in solving problems of capitalism.
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Alan reviews Bernie Sanders' new book, "Its Okay To Be Angry About Capitalism."
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Final of three parts. Alan talks about how the study of Christian and Eastern religious scriptures in 19th century Europe and America changed views about religion. Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., were influenced by these trends toward religious unity and social activism. Alan then draws a few lessons for the future of socialism.
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Alan discusses the development of socialism, focusing on ideas of democracy, an intelligensia creating a science of social engineering, and workers' resistance to early industrial capitalism. These all came together in the clashing ideas of Karl Marx and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, including their views of the value of religion. In closing Alan lists some of the problems that socialism later encountered in the same areas of democracy, science, and workers as the prime movers of socialism.
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To address skepticism that a socialist vision is realistic, Alan delves into the the question of whether human beings are capable of living together cooperatively without the need of coercion from government. He ties modern insights into spirituality to the possibilities of developing capacities such as empathy and intuition, and discusses how this would require revision of Marxist ideas of the relation of economics to a cultural "superstructure" of ideas, ethics, religion and the like. He ends by contrasting the views of human nature and democracy held by American founders James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. In Part 2 he will trace these threads into the beginnings of the socialist movement and how the understanding of religion and spirituality has changed since the days of Marx.
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Alan addresses three aspects of building a political party: beginning it, creating a functional organizational core, and reaching a mass public.
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Alan outlines a program for his proposal to create a new political party. He talks about why a new party is necessary and possible, what the strategic orientation of organizing could be, and four essentials elements to be included in this program.
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Alan explains his reasons for changing strategy to the creation of a new political party. He discusses a strategy for establishing a new party within our two-party system and his preference for an ideological position between Marxist democratic socialism and anarchist socialism.
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Alan wraps up the show for 2022 and gives a preview of his plan for it in 2023.
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Alan discusses a new political strategy encompassing electoral politics, the need for a unifying vision on the left, what spirituality can offer socialism, and why this may be his final episode of the show.
Alan discusses the push to get progressives to adopt a New Economic Bill of Rights as a rallying cry, and some of the pros and cons of this.
Alan reflects on ditching the libertarian socialist label, dogmatic Marxism, political activities he's been involved in lately, the fecklessness of the national Democratic Party, optimism about political change, and other random topics.
Alan continues his comparison of progressivism and socialism. He discusses the effects of the neo-liberal turn of the 1980s on the Nordic nations such as Norway, Denmark and Sweden and draws some lessons for a model of socialism in the U.S.
Alan differentiates progressivism and socialism in the stories they tell about how we got here and how how fundamentally capitalism needs to be changed. He discusses how the profit motive has affected international financial arrangements and the turn toward conservative politics since the 1980s.
Alan discusses the problems of trying to advance a political agenda through political parties in the United States. He then suggest some ways to deal with these problems.
Alan discusses the problems of electoral politics and some ways to address them. He explains that tactics are dependent on each state's electoral rules, and that the counterweight to money in politics is to have independent electoral organizations not tied to particular candidates.
Alan explains the new title of the show, "Political Dharma," and discusses his five-point agenda for social reconstruction. He also gives a preview of his ideas about how to actually bring the agenda into being.
Alan discusses the ethical organization of social relations, focusing on the political and economic aspects of social life. For governance he defends the creation of a true democracy with limits on government protect individual rights. For economic organizations he defends the right of workers to act collectively without government permission and the restriction of corporate privileges only to organizations that are non-profit or worker-controlled.
Alan explains the importance of ethical concepts in working for social change, and focuses on what an ethical system of property relations could look like.
Alan compares the role of the U.S. in the current crisis in Ukraine with its use of power in the war in Vietnam over a half century ago. He talks about the two "faces" of power, one obvious and one more hidden, and what we can learn from the latter about governance and politics.
Alan explains his concept of "small-government socialism," and how it differs from the strategies of Marxist socialism on one side and libertarian socialism on the other.
Alan talks about the political implications of calls for the government to reduce inflation. He assesses some of the causes of current inflation, the remedies proposed for it, and the power dynamics behind these proposals.
Alan talks about the ongoing process of social collapse in the U.S., the three possible outcomes of this, and what could be done about the situation. (Slightly edited recording of episode livestreamed Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.)
Alan reveals some upcoming changes for this show: a name change, live episodes Saturday mornings on YouTube, and moving from presenting ideas to finding ways to act on them.
Alan sums up Season 1 of this podcast and talks about political strategy for creating a better world: avoiding binary choices, our lack of control over the future, and the spirituality of political action.
Alan interviews Marco Dondi, the author of the new book "Outgrowing Capitalism." They talk about Modern Monetary Theory, the idea that public spending "crowds out" private investments, tools for managing the money supply, a Universal Basic Income's effect on the money supply, whether economics is a science, and other topics. (Part 2 of two.)
Alan interviews Marco Dondi, the author of the new book "Outgrowing Capitalism." They talk about Marco's proposal to fund a basic income with newly-created money, the problems with debt-backed money creation, the concept of "permanent" money and how it could be used for other social purposes, countering inflation, and other topics. (Part 1 of two.)
Alan talks to Mark Frohnmayer, the person principally responsible for developing the STAR Voting concept and turning it into a growing movement. They discuss a 2014 voting reform conference at which the idea for STAR Voting came together, the building of interest among voting reform advocates in Oregon, the first STAR Voting initiative campaigns, the obstacles to reform, and signs of hope going forward.
Alan talks to Mark Frohnmayer, the person principally responsible for developing the STAR Voting concept and turning it into a growing movement. They discuss the electoral defeat of Mark's father in his run for Oregon governor due to the split vote problem, Mark's initial interest in ranked choice voting, why he switched to supporting a unified primary, and finally how his further reflections led to the creation of STAR Voting.
Alan discusses the anger at the election system in the U.S., what is behind it, and what can be done to develop a real representative democracy.
Alan interviews Professor Corey Dolgon about his forthcoming book, "American Fascism." They discuss the features of fascism; how U.S. racism influenced the Nazis; the role of masculinity in fascism; the use of violence; how to fight fascism; and other topics.
Alan interviews Professor Corey Dolgon, the author of "Kill It To Save It: An Autopsy of Capitalism's Triumph Over Democracy," about his forthcoming book "American Fascism." (First of two episodes.)
Alan explains how hope is a practice and describes some experiences that gave direction to his hope for a better world.
Alan discusses the semantics of the term "libertarian socialism," a few of his life experiences that led him to his views, and his ideas of a general strategy to work toward a libertarian socialist society.
A brief review of the history of democratic socialism and some of the lessons that can be drawn from this history.
Alan compares ranked choice voting to STAR Voting and gives reasons why he thinks STAR Voting would be a better replacement for our current voting methods.
Alan returns to the subject of a guaranteed basic income and discusses its economic and political feasibility. He adds his thoughts on how a basic income could be financed.
Alan interviews Jacob Trewe, who was a delegate the to August national convention of the Democratic Socialists of America. They discuss the DSA's new platform, their relationship to the Democratic Party, voting method reform, tenant organizing, and enhancements to the DSA's organizational infrastructure.
Alan looks at some of the pros and cons of instituting a guaranteed basic income, as well as the pros and cons of a guaranteed jobs program. He also talks about whether such programs would be inflationary and how he would fund them.
Alan talks with Patty Rose of the "Spent the Rent" podcast about libertarian socialism, government power over our lives, how we came to our political views, and issues including defunding the police, a universal basic income, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Alan reviews the policy ideas he presented in earlier episodes and clarifies his comments about workplace democracy. He then talks about how credit unions and public banks can help support economic democracy.
Alan talks about the rights of labor in the distribution of income and control of the workplace.
Alan answers a listener's question about property rights and democracy in James Madison's Federalist #10, then discusses the impact on the founders of John Locke's ideas about the right to private property. He critiques Locke's ideas and shows why a legally sanctioned right of property would require a universal basic income as compensation to the whole community.
Alan explains why the U.S. founders' belief that democracy should be limited by property rights was mistaken, and proposes to strengthen democracy in the U.S. by adopting an alternative voting method. He evaluates the vote-for-one plurality method, top two, proportional representation, approval voting, ranked choice voting, and STAR Voting.
Democracy in the U.S. is currently under numerous threats: voter suppression, designs to overturn elections, big money choosing which candidates get to the ballot and so on. Alan looks at the origins of the idea of democracy, why the men who wrote the U.S. Constitution didn't create a democracy, and how the U.S. got to this moment of crisis.
What's wrong with the two party system, why do we have it, and what can we do about it?
Climate change is accelerating yet the U.S. political system seems incapable of responding. How does policy change? What processes are at work and how can we contribute to change? Alan discusses these topics, drawing on his background in political science.
Many of our ideas about capitalism are myths, or things we tell ourselves to define ourselves as a community and justify the way we do things. Alan talks about this, as well as the importance of culture and the vast inequality of wealth ownership in the United States.
In this introductory episode Alan presents an overview of his ideas about the "big picture" of how U.S. politics works, how the U.S. is a "partial-democracy," why socialism is not necessarily about big government, the two-party system, and some items for a policy platform to move toward a better society.