Derek Barker
@dwmbarker.bsky.social
Senior program officer for research initiatives, Kettering Foundation. Political theorist, editor of From Many, We blog. Studies democracy, virtue ethics, Aristotle. Orioles fan. Opinions expressed here are mine.
https://kettering.org/newsletter-optin/
https://kettering.org/newsletter-optin/
Pinned
When Institutions Fold, Local LGBTQ+ Communities Exemplify Courage
In the first nine months of the second Trump administration, the crackdown on transgender people has been relentless. But there is a spot of hope: local communities are resisting these policies and sh...
kettering.org
Trans rights activists and allies in local communities are the model for resistance--not big institutions. New from
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
Reposted by Derek Barker
Public options for essentials, strategic price interventions, investment in housing and childcare — this is antifascist economics. It tackles the material conditions that make authoritarianism appealing.
In making life livable, democracy defends itself.
In making life livable, democracy defends itself.
November 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Public options for essentials, strategic price interventions, investment in housing and childcare — this is antifascist economics. It tackles the material conditions that make authoritarianism appealing.
In making life livable, democracy defends itself.
In making life livable, democracy defends itself.
Reposted by Derek Barker
I’m going to basically spend all morning laughing like a maniac. I have BEEN saying! Rebuilding civic infrastructure is EVERYTHING.
November 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I’m going to basically spend all morning laughing like a maniac. I have BEEN saying! Rebuilding civic infrastructure is EVERYTHING.
Reposted by Derek Barker
57% of all ad spending by Republicans in the Virginia governors race was on anti trans ads. Just an incredibly mismanaged campaign. Anti-trans politics are a losing issue.
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM
57% of all ad spending by Republicans in the Virginia governors race was on anti trans ads. Just an incredibly mismanaged campaign. Anti-trans politics are a losing issue.
Reposted by Derek Barker
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
Reposted by Derek Barker
🚨BREAKING NEWS! The Virginia House of Delegates has not only been defended, but expanded — making VA the nation’s newest pro-democracy trifecta!
November 5, 2025 at 1:46 AM
🚨BREAKING NEWS! The Virginia House of Delegates has not only been defended, but expanded — making VA the nation’s newest pro-democracy trifecta!
Reposted by Derek Barker
Major win in Arlington County Public Schools, with pro-trans Moe Bryant dominating the election. Arlington County Public Schools has made headlines for defying the Trump admin on trans kids in bathrooms.
November 5, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Major win in Arlington County Public Schools, with pro-trans Moe Bryant dominating the election. Arlington County Public Schools has made headlines for defying the Trump admin on trans kids in bathrooms.
Of course this will get approximately zero media attention without Trump complaining about it, and CBS will get zero consequences
60 Minutes Edits Donald Trump Telling Them 60 Minutes Should Edit Donald Trump Talking About How 60 Minutes Paid Him For Editing Kamala Harris
60 Minutes is under new management and things are getting stupid faster than you might expect. Last night’s episode featured President Trump, which is…
60 Minutes is under new management and things are getting stupid faster than you might expect. Last night’s episode featured President Trump, which is…
60 Minutes Edits Donald Trump Telling Them 60 Minutes Should Edit Donald Trump Talking About How 60 Minutes Paid Him For Editing Kamala Harris
60 Minutes is under new management and things are getting stupid faster than you might expect. Last night’s episode featured President Trump, which is currently being described as “nuts.” There are all sorts of crazy moments to call out, but let’s start with the recursively meta nonsense. 60 Minutes edited out a segment where Donald Trump tells them to edit out a segment in which he brags about getting CBS to pay him because of them editing out part of an answer by Kamala Harris, and he notes that CBS clearly did the wrong thing in editing Harris in the same fucking sentence he tells them to edit out what he’s saying.
www.techdirt.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Of course this will get approximately zero media attention without Trump complaining about it, and CBS will get zero consequences
The most disturbing aspect of Heritage's defense of Carlson/Fuentes is Roberts' framing that the left is so evil it is *worse* than Nazism. Apparently we can no longer agree that Nazism is the worst thing, period. newrepublic.com/post/202569/...
Heritage Foundation Staff Revolt Over Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes
The conservative think tank behind Project 2025 has joined the Republican civil war over Tucker Carlson’s softball interview with a neo-Nazi.
newrepublic.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The most disturbing aspect of Heritage's defense of Carlson/Fuentes is Roberts' framing that the left is so evil it is *worse* than Nazism. Apparently we can no longer agree that Nazism is the worst thing, period. newrepublic.com/post/202569/...
Reposted by Derek Barker
Very excited to read @lkatfield.bsky.social’s new book.
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Very excited to read @lkatfield.bsky.social’s new book.
Reposted by Derek Barker
Venezuela is trending towards a flashpoint with major implications for our troops and hemisphere security. open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Security Briefing: October 2025
A Global Review of Security and Stability
open.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Venezuela is trending towards a flashpoint with major implications for our troops and hemisphere security. open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Reposted by Derek Barker
The US didn’t just recently start down an anti-democratic path, it’s been on one for a decade.
I guess it’s nice that the New York Times editorial board has partially caught up years after the fact, but yeah, catching up all the way and improving coverage accordingly would be better.
I guess it’s nice that the New York Times editorial board has partially caught up years after the fact, but yeah, catching up all the way and improving coverage accordingly would be better.
To be blunter about it, the opinion pages of the New York Times are precisely one of the places where we have been failed.
If the NYT Editorial Board wants to talk about complacency, they should start by looking in a mirror.
Even this warning is mealy-mouthed and flawed.
If the NYT Editorial Board wants to talk about complacency, they should start by looking in a mirror.
Even this warning is mealy-mouthed and flawed.
November 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The US didn’t just recently start down an anti-democratic path, it’s been on one for a decade.
I guess it’s nice that the New York Times editorial board has partially caught up years after the fact, but yeah, catching up all the way and improving coverage accordingly would be better.
I guess it’s nice that the New York Times editorial board has partially caught up years after the fact, but yeah, catching up all the way and improving coverage accordingly would be better.
JD Vance lays bare the essence of the MAGA philosophy. Conservative, Christian, and white nationalism all say that diversity is bad for unity, therefore the state has an obligation to promote a single way of life (theirs) and exclude others.
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 10:56 AM
JD Vance lays bare the essence of the MAGA philosophy. Conservative, Christian, and white nationalism all say that diversity is bad for unity, therefore the state has an obligation to promote a single way of life (theirs) and exclude others.
Trans rights activists and allies in local communities are the model for resistance--not big institutions. New from
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
When Institutions Fold, Local LGBTQ+ Communities Exemplify Courage
In the first nine months of the second Trump administration, the crackdown on transgender people has been relentless. But there is a spot of hope: local communities are resisting these policies and sh...
kettering.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Trans rights activists and allies in local communities are the model for resistance--not big institutions. New from
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
@erininthemorning.com kettering.org/when-institu...
Reposted by Derek Barker
New research article from Dr. Andrew Whitehead!
@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social
Learn more about Christian nationalism and its impacts on American society.
Read it here: academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
@religiondata.bsky.social
@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social
Learn more about Christian nationalism and its impacts on American society.
Read it here: academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
@religiondata.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
New research article from Dr. Andrew Whitehead!
@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social
Learn more about Christian nationalism and its impacts on American society.
Read it here: academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
@religiondata.bsky.social
@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social
Learn more about Christian nationalism and its impacts on American society.
Read it here: academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
@religiondata.bsky.social
Great new piece by KF research fellow @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social on an under studied aspect of Christian nationalism: it's ableism.
NEW RESEARCH
Americans who embrace Christian nationalism more likely to agree situation f/ people with disabilities is good as it is, disabled people demand too much from rest of society, & there have been enough societal efforts in favor of people w/ disabilities.
academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
Americans who embrace Christian nationalism more likely to agree situation f/ people with disabilities is good as it is, disabled people demand too much from rest of society, & there have been enough societal efforts in favor of people w/ disabilities.
academic.oup.com/socpro/advan...
October 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Great new piece by KF research fellow @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social on an under studied aspect of Christian nationalism: it's ableism.
Reposted by Derek Barker
Sierra Leone, poet laureate of Dayton and artist-in-residence at the Kettering Foundation, takes the stage at the #DaytonDemocracySummit, weaving words that ground us in truth and show us that poetry and democracy share a heartbeat, both calling us to listen deeply and imagine boldly.
October 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Sierra Leone, poet laureate of Dayton and artist-in-residence at the Kettering Foundation, takes the stage at the #DaytonDemocracySummit, weaving words that ground us in truth and show us that poetry and democracy share a heartbeat, both calling us to listen deeply and imagine boldly.
Reposted by Derek Barker
“If the world seems on edge these days, with alliances fraying, violent conflicts emerging and volatility as the order of the day, there’s a reason. These are the early shocks of a world being shaped by leaders who govern by personal will instead of rules and consensus.”
Opinion | A New Era of Strongman Rulers Is Upon Us
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
“If the world seems on edge these days, with alliances fraying, violent conflicts emerging and volatility as the order of the day, there’s a reason. These are the early shocks of a world being shaped by leaders who govern by personal will instead of rules and consensus.”
In light of the Trump-Xi meeting, what are the likely global consequences of strongmen ruling their nations without accountability or constraints? New NYT op-ed from @kettering.org Senior Fellow Erica Frantz. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
Opinion | A New Era of Strongman Rulers Is Upon Us
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
In light of the Trump-Xi meeting, what are the likely global consequences of strongmen ruling their nations without accountability or constraints? New NYT op-ed from @kettering.org Senior Fellow Erica Frantz. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
Reposted by Derek Barker
Dayton pro-democracy folks register now!
A stronger democracy begins with Dayton.
In almost 10 days, neighbors, leaders, and dreamers from across the Miami Valley will gather at Sinclair College for the #DaytonDemocracySummit—a day to listen, learn, and take action for a more inclusive democracy.
In almost 10 days, neighbors, leaders, and dreamers from across the Miami Valley will gather at Sinclair College for the #DaytonDemocracySummit—a day to listen, learn, and take action for a more inclusive democracy.
October 15, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Dayton pro-democracy folks register now!
The NYT Editorial Board is really using Trump to prove their thesis that moderation wins elections. Hello!!!!!! www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
October 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The NYT Editorial Board is really using Trump to prove their thesis that moderation wins elections. Hello!!!!!! www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
New on our blog: Americans' commitment to democracy is awakening, but why? Kettering and Gallup's Democracy For All Project aims to track how citizens experience democracy and identify opportunities for civic engagement. New survey results coming soon!
Most Americans still believe in democracy, but too many make exceptions when it benefits their side. This gap between what we believe and how we behave shows why understanding democracy’s challenges matters now more than ever.
October 20, 2025 at 1:27 PM
New on our blog: Americans' commitment to democracy is awakening, but why? Kettering and Gallup's Democracy For All Project aims to track how citizens experience democracy and identify opportunities for civic engagement. New survey results coming soon!
Looks good in print! TLDR, it is possible to be a critic of liberalism without going to the post liberal/MAGA/natcon dark side. Online here: politicalsciencereviewer.com/index.php/psr
October 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Looks good in print! TLDR, it is possible to be a critic of liberalism without going to the post liberal/MAGA/natcon dark side. Online here: politicalsciencereviewer.com/index.php/psr
Dayton pro-democracy folks register now!
A stronger democracy begins with Dayton.
In almost 10 days, neighbors, leaders, and dreamers from across the Miami Valley will gather at Sinclair College for the #DaytonDemocracySummit—a day to listen, learn, and take action for a more inclusive democracy.
In almost 10 days, neighbors, leaders, and dreamers from across the Miami Valley will gather at Sinclair College for the #DaytonDemocracySummit—a day to listen, learn, and take action for a more inclusive democracy.
October 15, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Dayton pro-democracy folks register now!
Let's not forget the MAGA foreign policy platform is based on cutting aid to NATO, Ukraine, and global democratic movements.
Jeffries: "It's perplexing to us that Rs refuse to spend a dime to protect the healthcare of the American people, but somehow the Trump admin found $40b to bail out a right-wing wannabe dictator in Argentina in ways that are also going to continue to hurt our soybean farmers in Iowa & the Midwest"
October 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Let's not forget the MAGA foreign policy platform is based on cutting aid to NATO, Ukraine, and global democratic movements.