To achieve a new political settlement, she has to resolve a tension dating from the Revolution.
As Kamala Harris strives to project joy and stability amidst catastrophic hurricanes in the American South and an escalating war in the Middle East, she faces an unusual task in the countdown to Election Day. While she must persuade undecided voters that she is the “change” candidate, she must also defend and strengthen the Biden administration’s key accomplishments. These achievements are still viewed ambivalently in crucial swing states, despite the enormous investments in infrastructure and industrial redevelopment. This delicate balancing act requires careful maneuvering for a candidate not widely known for a deep grasp of political economy.
Under the seemingly innocuous banner of a “New Way Forward”, Harris is working to convey that she understands America’s economic system still fails many working people, while also preserving Biden’s legacy and not alienating the Silicon Valley power brokers financing her campaign. Despite the populist overtones of her campaign launch—where she praised unions and criticized “price-gouging”—she has since reassured business leaders that she is “pragmatic,” a word she used in a major economic speech delivered in late September in the key swing state of Pennsylvania.
Optimistic progressives, however, believe Harris can rally voters by distilling the core principles of Bidenism down to its essence: “build” and “balance.” “Build” refers to addressing significant structural shortages, such as rebuilding regional supply chains and accelerating housing construction. “Balance,” on the other hand, is about ensuring that the government promotes fairness, justice, and basic security within a market economy. These twin goals are meant to shape market behavior and, ultimately, create a more egalitarian American social contract—one that could even, as some ambitious economic progressives hope, resemble a social-democratic system.
Despite her pragmatic reassurances, Harris is still operating within the framework established by the Founding Fathers—a political system where federalism and capitalism are deeply intertwined. To bring about real change, she must navigate these complex tensions, ensuring that her vision for America acknowledges both the economic realities of today and the philosophical underpinnings of the nation’s historical foundation.
As Harris continues her bid for the presidency, she faces the difficult task of resolving a tension that dates back to the Revolutionary era: how to balance the revolutionary ideals of equality and liberty with the ingrained systems of governance and economics that define modern American society. Her ability to thread this needle will determine her success or failure in reshaping the future of American politics.
In this context, Harris’ campaign strategy will likely hinge on her ability to unite progressive ideals with the more moderate, business-friendly policies that appeal to the American electorate. Her success will depend on how effectively she can marry the desire for structural change with the practical realities of governing within a system that has been shaped by centuries of tradition.
This makes Harris’ political vision not just a challenge of governance, but a confrontation with America’s foundational ideals—an attempt to redefine what it means to be American in the 21st century while still grappling with the legacies of the past. As she approaches the election, her ability to navigate this complex terrain will be key to her political future.
