The UnPopulist
@theunpopulist.net
Defending liberal democracy against authoritarianism in the U.S. and around the world.
https://www.theunpopulist.net
https://www.theunpopulist.net
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The answer? Proportional representation that distributes seats according to vote share over states. Not only does this remove incentive for gerrymandering, it results in “more choices for voters, fewer ‘wasted’ ballots, and a Congress that better reflects the diversity of American opinion.”
November 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The answer? Proportional representation that distributes seats according to vote share over states. Not only does this remove incentive for gerrymandering, it results in “more choices for voters, fewer ‘wasted’ ballots, and a Congress that better reflects the diversity of American opinion.”
Single-member districts, historically, were implemented in order to be *more* representative, not less. And at that time, they were. But no longer. If we want a healthy and functioning democracy, we need a new method of representation.
November 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Single-member districts, historically, were implemented in order to be *more* representative, not less. And at that time, they were. But no longer. If we want a healthy and functioning democracy, we need a new method of representation.
But as @andycraig.bsky.social argues, “at the end of the day, all this tit-for-tat wrangling might not even change the overall outcome of the midterms.” What it can do is make our electoral politics worse: less representative, more contentious and hostile.
November 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
But as @andycraig.bsky.social argues, “at the end of the day, all this tit-for-tat wrangling might not even change the overall outcome of the midterms.” What it can do is make our electoral politics worse: less representative, more contentious and hostile.
Mamdani has put people around him who have proven track records of efficient, sensible policy work and governance. Yes, he is inexperienced. But if he’s willing to combine his appealing vision of a better NYC with the necessary know-how and expertise, there’s reason for optimism.
November 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Mamdani has put people around him who have proven track records of efficient, sensible policy work and governance. Yes, he is inexperienced. But if he’s willing to combine his appealing vision of a better NYC with the necessary know-how and expertise, there’s reason for optimism.
Kaneene argues that “Mamdani’s democratic socialism is about keeping markets honest, not eliminating them.” And he’s shown a willingness to learn on policy issues—like freezing rents—where his initial proposals are bad and not empirically supported, or exceed the power of the mayor’s office.
November 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Kaneene argues that “Mamdani’s democratic socialism is about keeping markets honest, not eliminating them.” And he’s shown a willingness to learn on policy issues—like freezing rents—where his initial proposals are bad and not empirically supported, or exceed the power of the mayor’s office.
Mamdani’s willingness to reach out to New York’s Jewish community, not despite but in concert with his commitment to humanitarian concern for Palestine, stands in marked contrast with the willingness of Republicans to stoke hostility with racially and religiously-charged attacks.
November 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Mamdani’s willingness to reach out to New York’s Jewish community, not despite but in concert with his commitment to humanitarian concern for Palestine, stands in marked contrast with the willingness of Republicans to stoke hostility with racially and religiously-charged attacks.
One of his most compelling qualities is he leans into who he is rather than ditches it to project a bland inoffensiveness workshopped by consultants.
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
One of his most compelling qualities is he leans into who he is rather than ditches it to project a bland inoffensiveness workshopped by consultants.
"The system that we have today is completely unfit for the kinds of challenges that we have." - Drew Penrose on the benefits of proportional representation #LibCon2024
October 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"The system that we have today is completely unfit for the kinds of challenges that we have." - Drew Penrose on the benefits of proportional representation #LibCon2024
This is key: Company representatives repeatedly and consistently testified to not feeling threatened or coerced by the Biden administration.
October 25, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This is key: Company representatives repeatedly and consistently testified to not feeling threatened or coerced by the Biden administration.
Far from being a "censorship-industrial complex," Biden administration feedback to platforms was in line with persuasive efforts across different presidential administrations.
October 25, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Far from being a "censorship-industrial complex," Biden administration feedback to platforms was in line with persuasive efforts across different presidential administrations.
MAGA has few problems with sexual predators on their side, from Roy Moore to Andrew Tate, but they love to level baseless allegations at others.
October 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
MAGA has few problems with sexual predators on their side, from Roy Moore to Andrew Tate, but they love to level baseless allegations at others.
Trump and other MAGA figures thought they could use this story, not to help victims or protect women, but to attack people they hate.
October 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Trump and other MAGA figures thought they could use this story, not to help victims or protect women, but to attack people they hate.
Even if you’re Donald Trump, a formidable conspiracist in your own right, it turns out that promoting conspiracy theorizing isn’t a tap you can turn on and off, especially if you yourself look like you’re covering something up.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/magas-epst...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/magas-epst...
October 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Even if you’re Donald Trump, a formidable conspiracist in your own right, it turns out that promoting conspiracy theorizing isn’t a tap you can turn on and off, especially if you yourself look like you’re covering something up.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/magas-epst...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/magas-epst...
October 23, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Spot on from @andycraig.bsky.social
This is precisely why we've launched The Reconstruction Agenda: To start planning for a post-authoritarian future and rebuilding stronger institutions that a rogue president can’t so easily take over and weaponize again.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/this-no-ki...
This is precisely why we've launched The Reconstruction Agenda: To start planning for a post-authoritarian future and rebuilding stronger institutions that a rogue president can’t so easily take over and weaponize again.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/this-no-ki...
October 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Spot on from @andycraig.bsky.social
This is precisely why we've launched The Reconstruction Agenda: To start planning for a post-authoritarian future and rebuilding stronger institutions that a rogue president can’t so easily take over and weaponize again.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/this-no-ki...
This is precisely why we've launched The Reconstruction Agenda: To start planning for a post-authoritarian future and rebuilding stronger institutions that a rogue president can’t so easily take over and weaponize again.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/this-no-ki...
Trump’s Anti-Woke Regime Comes for the Holocaust Museum
From senior producer @landryayres.bsky.social
From senior producer @landryayres.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Trump’s Anti-Woke Regime Comes for the Holocaust Museum
From senior producer @landryayres.bsky.social
From senior producer @landryayres.bsky.social
“By being more patriotic than the supposed patriots, you can win that back, and you don’t have to sacrifice any liberal values to do that.” - Alexander Sikorski, #LibCon2025
October 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“By being more patriotic than the supposed patriots, you can win that back, and you don’t have to sacrifice any liberal values to do that.” - Alexander Sikorski, #LibCon2025
"Authoritarian consolidation is Trump's true Operation Warp Speed." - @shikhadalmia.bsky.social, ISMA President and Founder of @theunpopulist.net, at #LibCon2025
October 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"Authoritarian consolidation is Trump's true Operation Warp Speed." - @shikhadalmia.bsky.social, ISMA President and Founder of @theunpopulist.net, at #LibCon2025
"[The American right] wants to destroy the world around them. There's not one single principle or transcendent value. There's just the will to dominance." - Tom Palmer, #LibCon2025
October 16, 2025 at 3:39 AM
"[The American right] wants to destroy the world around them. There's not one single principle or transcendent value. There's just the will to dominance." - Tom Palmer, #LibCon2025
Trump Tries to Turn Watchdogs Into Lapdogs by Defunding Inspectors General
October 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Trump Tries to Turn Watchdogs Into Lapdogs by Defunding Inspectors General
September 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
At #LibCon2025, Francis Fukuyama exposed how Trump’s opportunism is the motivating force behind his foreign policy, rather than any principle of sovereignty.
September 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
At #LibCon2025, Francis Fukuyama exposed how Trump’s opportunism is the motivating force behind his foreign policy, rather than any principle of sovereignty.
In Trump’s America, Ice Cream Vendors Get Arrested and Predators Get a Head Start
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In Trump’s America, Ice Cream Vendors Get Arrested and Predators Get a Head Start
September 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM