The New Deal of the 1930s: context and debates

The New Deal has been invoked by both Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez as a model for democratic socialism and both have called for a New Deal consisting of government intervention and pro-working class reforms to improve workers living standards and tackle the threat of climate change. This session will discuss the context of the 1930s New Deal and take a critical look at who made up the New Deal coalition as well as the character of the reforms.