Synopsis
Bigger Than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism by Micah Uetricht and Meagan Day is a comprehensive exploration of the burgeoning democratic socialist movement in the United States, catalyzed by Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. The book, published in 2020 by Verso Books, serves as both a historical analysis and a strategic guide for activists seeking to build a lasting socialist movement beyond the electoral ambitions of a single candidate. Written by two prominent socialist organizers and writers affiliated with Jacobin magazine, the book delves into how Sanders’ campaigns reinvigorated class politics, inspired a new generation of activists, and laid the groundwork for a broader political revolution. It argues that the movement’s goals extend far beyond electing Sanders to the presidency, aiming instead to transform American society through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and a fundamental restructuring of political and economic power.
The authors begin by contextualizing Sanders’ impact within the historical trajectory of socialism in the United States, tracing its roots from early figures like Eugene Debs to the social upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s, followed by its decline during the neoliberal era ushered in by Reagan. Sanders’ campaigns, with their bold calls for policies like Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, are presented as a turning point that reintroduced socialist ideas into mainstream discourse. The book highlights how Sanders’ platform, centered on challenging the “billionaire class” and advocating for universal social programs, inspired a surge in membership for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), motivated teachers’ strikes across the country, and propelled a new cohort of radical politicians—such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar—into Congress. Uetricht and Day emphasize that Sanders’ insistence on a “political revolution” involving millions of ordinary people in workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities is the cornerstone of the movement’s vision, distinguishing it from traditional electoral politics.
The core of the book is its strategic roadmap for entrenching democratic socialism in American life. The authors advocate for a dual approach: leveraging the Democratic Party’s infrastructure for electoral gains while maintaining a critical distance to avoid co-optation by its corporate-friendly establishment. They propose a “dirty break” strategy, where socialists run as Democrats to win elections but work toward building an independent workers’ party in the long term, recognizing the structural barriers posed by the U.S.’s two-party system. The book details successful case studies of socialist organizing, such as DSA-backed campaigns and local electoral victories, to illustrate how grassroots efforts can translate into tangible political power. It also explores the revival of the labor movement, spotlighting strikes by teachers and other workers as evidence of growing class consciousness, and underscores the importance of policies like the Green New Deal in addressing both economic inequality and the climate crisis.