The problem is that Clinton’s neoliberalism and rejection of the unions both wasn’t just Clinton (he didn’t get a revolt from other Democrats over NAFTA) and the results weakened the unions so they were less valuable to Democrats. Neoliberal economic policy has been the dominant philosophy of the party establishment for 30 years now, to the detriment of the unions. Hell, many of those establishment politicians were already in power during Clinton’s term.
Now, this doesn’t mean “all Democrats never listen to unions”, but they’re just often not a priority. And hopefully it’s changing. Biden’s done some meaningfully pro-union things (albeit with one very high-profile anti-union thing), and the resurgence of the labor movement in general means they’re more powerful.
There was a fair bit of pushback against NAFTA. Additionally, I would point towards things like blocking petroleum exploration and generally pursuing greater business regulation as not very neo-liberal positions.
The problem is that Clinton’s neoliberalism and rejection of the unions both wasn’t just Clinton (he didn’t get a revolt from other Democrats over NAFTA) and the results weakened the unions so they were less valuable to Democrats. Neoliberal economic policy has been the dominant philosophy of the party establishment for 30 years now, to the detriment of the unions. Hell, many of those establishment politicians were already in power during Clinton’s term.
Now, this doesn’t mean “all Democrats never listen to unions”, but they’re just often not a priority. And hopefully it’s changing. Biden’s done some meaningfully pro-union things (albeit with one very high-profile anti-union thing), and the resurgence of the labor movement in general means they’re more powerful.
There was a fair bit of pushback against NAFTA. Additionally, I would point towards things like blocking petroleum exploration and generally pursuing greater business regulation as not very neo-liberal positions.