The Corporate Takeover of American Democracy and the Climate Crisis:
How to organize for victory in an age of unprecedented political spending
Sheldonian Theatre on 3 June 2019, 5.30 - 6.30pm
Lecture Synopsis:
'Money has taken on an obscene level of influence in American politics. Roughly 80 per cent of Americans believe that corporate donors have essentially bought the government — allowing them to torpedo common sense reforms that threaten corporate profits, no matter how much support they enjoy from voters. They’re right.
'This dynamic is clearest in the debate over climate change. By the latest estimates, humanity has until the end of the next decade to address this challenge, and make dramatic reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. Vast majorities of Americans — regardless of party identification — understand the threat, and back government action to prevent catastrophe. Yet Mr. Trump has taken steps to unleash fossil fuel companies that back his administration, allowing U.S. carbon emissions to rise 3.4 percent last year.
'Americans may be on an uneven playing field, but all is not lost. Victories from the last ten years have shown that the power of big money in politics has not grown to overwhelm the power of the people, organized for action. Tom Steyer has led some of these fights at the local, state, and national level. His lecture will describe the core messages, coalitions, strategies and tactics that can overcome deep-pocketed corporate interests. He will put forward a theory of change for the 21st century, offering a roadmap for beating big money at the ballot box through big organizing.'
Quote from NextGen America
Speaker Biography:
Mr Tom Steyer, Founder of NextGen America and Need to Impeach
'Tom Steyer was one of the most successful businessmen in America. He saw first-hand how our economic system failed working people while helping those at the top. Believing we have a moral responsibility to each other and to give back, Tom left his company and founded a non-profit grassroots advocacy organization, NextGen America, to increase voter participation among young voters, and guarantee every family shares the benefits of economic opportunity, education, and a healthy climate.'
Quote from NextGen America
