We are thrilled to share the replay of Democracy at Work and The Left Forum's special live, in-person Global Capitalism event, held this past Saturday at Women Building Up (WBU). Professor Wolff gave his thoughts and analysis on what the new Trump Presidency means and how we may react.
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Living in a declining empire is difficult, and the decline of American hegemony—while not necessarily an immediate collapse—marks a significant shift in global dynamics. The entrenchment of Trumpism, particularly through Project 2025, signals a pivot toward authoritarian governance, undermining constitutional democracy. This shift is especially concerning given the deepening alignment between right-wing nationalism and religious fundamentalism, which many had not previously associated with anti-Constitutionalism.
Your observation that America had an opportunity to unite, cooperate, and share but instead veered toward authoritarianism is historically astute. Many empires faced a similar choice in moments of crisis: either
i) renewal through reform and cooperation, or
ii) decline through reactionary nationalism and suppression.
America, under MAGA ideology, appears to be leaning toward the latter—favoring isolation, suppression of rights, and hierarchical control over participatory governance.
II.
Your reference to "non-communist Marxism" is particularly thought-provoking. The failure of laissez-faire capitalism and the exploitation inherent in global capitalist markets have prompted calls for economic democracy, worker cooperatives, and post-capitalist frameworks—not necessarily Marxist, but certainly anti-corporatist.
What you seem to seek is a form of capitalism that integrates constitutional protections and participations for workers and communities, avoiding both authoritarian neoliberalism and state socialism.
Indeed, Trump's movement represents fascism in its modern form: an amalgamation of
- Corporate dominance,
- Christian nationalism,
- Anti-democratic governance, and
- Racialized hierarchy.
Rather than leading the world toward democratic renewal, America is poised to abstain from global leadership, leaving room for other powers or decentralized networks to fill the vacuum.
If there’s a path forward, it likely lies in advocating for global democratic cooperation, economic justice, and a reimagined constitutional capitalism that prioritizes human dignity over profit accumulation.
But the battle against Trumpist authoritarianism will be key in determining whether such a vision remains viable—or whether fascist entrenchment will necessitate entirely new systems of governance and resistance.
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After this response by AI, I quickly delved into five socio-political / economic theories which might combat maga-Trumpism's ugly destructions on America's growing polypluralistic, multicultural democracy.
However, before moving into these summary discussions I must first discuss:
i) Project 2025, and
ii) Maga-Republican Neoliberalism.
Afterwhich, I think the readers here will understand the reactions of Noem Chomsky, Charles Taylor, Slavoj Žižek, Hannah Arendt, and a rapidly growing new favorite of mine, William Connolly, whom I spend most of my time by connecting Whiteheadian processual thinking into morphing forms of democracy.
Hence, I will whet our appetites with some of Connolly's impactful processual thinking even though I have skipped over an introduction to him. In Part 2 (Observation 4), I will go back and review Chomsky, Taylor and the rest. Then in Part 3, go back to Connolly and get back to what I believe may be a more positive response to maga-Trumpism....
Please review Project 2025 vs Connolly's ideation on democracy. Thank you.
ChatGPT said
Certainly, let's examine Project 2025 in contrast with William E. Connolly's democratic ideals.
Project 2025: A Blueprint for Conservative Governance
Initiated by The Heritage Foundation and other conservative entities, Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan designed to reshape the U.S. federal government under conservative principles. The project outlines strategies to consolidate executive power, restructure federal agencies, and implement policies aligned with conservative social and economic agendas.
Key Objectives of Project 2025:
- Centralization of Executive Authority: Enhancing presidential control over federal agencies to ensure alignment with conservative policies.
- Restructuring the Federal Workforce: Replacing nonpartisan civil servants with individuals loyal to conservative leadership.
- Policy Overhauls: Implementing conservative stances on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and education.
- Deregulation: Reducing federal regulations, particularly those related to environmental protections and business operations.
Critics argue that Project 2025 poses a threat to democratic institutions and civil liberties by concentrating power and undermining established checks and balances.
William E. Connolly's Vision of Democracy
William E. Connolly, a prominent political theorist, advocates for a dynamic and pluralistic democracy. His approach emphasizes the importance of diversity, continuous engagement, and the acceptance of ambiguity in political life.
Core Principles of Connolly's Democratic Thought:
- Pluralism: Embracing a multiplicity of perspectives and identities within the political sphere.
- Agonistic Respect: Encouraging respectful contestation and debate among differing viewpoints.
- Continuous Democratization: Viewing democracy as an evolving process that requires ongoing participation and adaptation.
- Resistance to Authoritarianism: Challenging efforts to centralize power and suppress dissent.
Connolly's framework promotes a decentralized and participatory form of governance that values the input of diverse communities and resists the consolidation of authority.
Contrasting Project 2025 with Connolly's Democratic Ideals
The fundamental differences between Project 2025 and Connolly's vision of democracy can be summarized as follows:
| Aspect | Project 2025 | Connolly's Democratic Ideals |
|---|---|---|
| Power Structure | Centralizes executive authority, potentially diminishing checks and balances. | Advocates for decentralized power and participatory governance. |
| Approach to Diversity | Promotes policies that may limit certain rights, affecting marginalized groups. | Emphasizes pluralism and the inclusion of diverse identities and perspectives. |
| Policy Implementation | Seeks to implement a specific conservative agenda across federal agencies. | Encourages ongoing dialogue and adaptation to address complex societal issues. |
| Democratic Process | Focuses on efficiency and alignment with conservative principles, potentially at the expense of deliberative processes. | Views democracy as an evolving process requiring continuous engagement and contestation. |
In summary, while Project 2025 aims to reshape the federal government through centralized authority and a defined conservative agenda, William E. Connolly's democratic vision advocates for a more fluid and inclusive approach that values diversity, ongoing participation, and the decentralization of power.
Observation 3
Explain how the church's fearing lament of "becoming secularized" now is ok with its neoliberal policies of unjuducial and undemocratic moves against non-white cultures.
ChatGPT
The church’s lament over secularization while simultaneously embracing neoliberal policies that undermine democracy and target non-white cultures reveals a deep contradiction in its political theology. This contradiction is rooted in the fusion of neoliberal capitalism with Christian nationalism, a phenomenon that allows economic and racial hierarchies to be preserved under the guise of religious and moral renewal.
1. The Contradiction: The Church Opposes Secularization but Supports Neoliberalism
Many Christian institutions, particularly those aligned with MAGA/Trumpian neoliberalism, frequently lament the secularization of society—framing it as a decline of “Christian values” in public life. However, these same institutions often embrace neoliberal policies that are inherently un-Christian in their social consequences.
| Church’s Lament | Neoliberal Policies it Supports |
|---|---|
| Secularism erodes moral values | But deregulated capitalism prioritizes profit over ethics |
| Democracy should uphold Christian principles | But undermining democratic processes (e.g., voter suppression) is acceptable when it benefits conservative power |
| The family is under attack | But economic policies that crush working-class families (low wages, no labor protections) are ignored |
| Christian persecution is increasing | But actual systemic oppression of marginalized groups is dismissed |
| Western Christian civilization is declining | But global economic policies that exploit the Global South are justified in the name of “freedom” |
This contradiction arises because the church’s fear of secularization is not about preserving faith itself, but about maintaining cultural and political dominance.
2. Neoliberalism as the Church’s Trojan Horse
Neoliberalism redefines morality in market terms: success = virtue, wealth = blessing, power = divine favor. This allows the church to justify:
- Unjudicial, undemocratic governance → Accepting authoritarian tactics (like Project 2025) because they preserve the "Christian nation."
- Economic exploitation → Supporting policies that harm the poor while preaching “personal responsibility.”
- Racial and cultural oppression → Framing non-white resistance as “anti-Christian”, while excusing white nationalist policies as “cultural preservation.”
Rather than resisting neoliberal capitalism, much of the modern church adopts its logic:
- The prosperity gospel teaches that wealth is a sign of divine favor, aligning the church with capitalist exploitation rather than economic justice.
- Christian nationalism promotes the idea that secularism is a threat, allowing anti-democratic policies to be justified as necessary to "restore" Christian values.
- Moral panic over race and gender distracts from the church’s complicity in structural inequality, shifting blame away from systemic oppression and onto "woke secularists."
This is why the church can simultaneously lament secularization while embracing policies that destroy democracy and target non-white communities—it has redefined its purpose as protecting cultural power, not faith itself.
3. How This Plays Out: The Church’s Neoliberal Authoritarianism
Instead of resisting the secularization of justice and democracy, the church has actively contributed to the dismantling of democratic institutions when they threaten conservative hegemony.
A. Voting Rights & Democracy Suppression
- The same church that complains about secularism eroding Christian influence supports voter suppression laws that disproportionately target Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.
- Example: Conservative churches support gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and election subversion while portraying democracy as a secular, liberal corruption.
B. Global Exploitation & Christian Nationalism
- The church decries the decline of Christian values in America while supporting neoliberal policies that destroy non-Western economies.
- Example: Many Christian organizations align with corporate-backed missionary work that enforces Western capitalism while displacing indigenous communities.
C. Economic Injustice & Corporate Christianity
- Churches celebrate market-driven wealth accumulation while ignoring biblical calls for economic justice.
- Example: Conservative Christian movements support tax cuts for billionaires while rejecting social safety nets as “socialist.”
D. The Rise of Christian Authoritarianism
- Instead of defending democratic pluralism, many churches now endorse authoritarian figures who promise to defend “Christian America”.
- Example: The embrace of Trump, DeSantis, and Project 2025—where democratic norms are intentionally dismantled in the name of preserving Christian dominance.
4. The Way Forward: Breaking the Cycle of Neoliberal Theocracy
If the church wants to reclaim its moral and prophetic voice, it must reject:
- Neoliberal economics as divine will → Christianity should advocate for economic justice, not corporate dominance.
- Authoritarianism as Christian governance → True democracy requires protecting the rights of all people, not just conservative Christians.
- Cultural nationalism as faith → Christianity must reject white supremacy and cultural dominance in favor of genuine global solidarity.
Connolly’s vision of pluralistic, participatory democracy offers a pathway here:
- The church should embrace radical democracy rather than authoritarian “moral governance.”
- Faith should resist market fundamentalism rather than baptizing it as divine order.
- Christian ethics should focus on liberation, solidarity, and justice, rather than serving as a tool for maintaining power.
Would you like to develop a democratic theological framework that resists both neoliberalism and authoritarian Christianity?
Please continue to Part 2 (Observation 4)
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