On 8th of April, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont ended his presidential candidacy, concluding a quest that elevated him as a standard-bearer of American liberalism and clearing the way for a general election between the presumptive Democratic nominee, Joseph Biden, and President Trump, at a time of national crisis.
In his speech, Mr. Sanders, eloquent but without his characteristic spark, cast his decision in the broader context of the fight against the coronavirus. “I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour,” Mr. Sanders said, adding, “While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not.”
This led to an outbreak of tweets by millenials who were devastated at this decision. Congresswomen like Alexandria Occasio Cortez spoke deeply about the impact that Bernie Sanders had on an overall political revolution, quoting, “You made this broke girl from the Bronx believe that a grassroots movement was possible and winnable, and that everyday, working people are powerful enough to overcome the entrenched interests of corrupted power and systems.”
But who is Bernie Sanders, and how did a 78 year old capture the hearts of millennials worldwide?
Born on September 8, 1941, Bernie Sanders is an American politician who is an advocate of social democratic and progressive policies. Sanders is known for his opposition to economic inequality and neoliberalism. On domestic policy, he supports labor rights, universal and single-payer healthcare, paid parental leave, tuition-free tertiary education, and an ambitious Green New Deal to create jobs addressing climate change. He has been fighting against racial inequality and homophobia since before these issues were even normalised.
What makes Bernie Sanders so distinct in this field is that he hasn't just come to this fight. He has been fighting for these issues for his entire life. It is important because now progressive issues are kind of in vogue. We want to talk about healthcare. We want to talk about living wage. We want to talk about women's rights. But he did this when it was least convenient. He paid the highest political costs. He was fighting for these issues since before most of us were even born. And that is what makes his political struggle so fascinating and essential.
Bernie Sanders follows an economic policy that is rather new for American politics. He has been ridiculed by the Republicans who have often called him a “commie” standing for communist. His economic policy, however, is that of ‘Social Democracy’ which is very different from Communism.
Social democracy is a political, social and economic philosophy that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a capitalist-oriented mixed economy. Social Democracy is successfully practiced in countries like Norway, which have established excellent healthcare systems.
Communism on the other hand, is a philosophical, social, political, economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money and the state.
The hatred for communism propagated by the Americans during the Cold War has its impact even today, and may be one of the causes of the downfall of Sanders and his political campaign.
Sanders left but on a note of hope. He tweeted, “While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not. Please stay in this fight with me.” Even though Bernie stepped down, the fight against economic and social inequality and climate change continues. One day, America may see a political revolution that represents the total American population, and not just the elites.
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