Forward Party
Forward Party | |
|---|---|
| File:Forward Party USA logo.png | |
| Leader | Andrew Yang |
| Founder | Andrew Yang |
| Founded | October 5, 2021 |
| Split from | Democratic Party (de facto) |
| Headquarters | River Vale, New Jersey |
| Ideology | Human-Centered Capitalism Economic reform Electoral reform |
| Colors | Indigo, blue, and red-orange |
| Slogan | Not Left. Not Right. Forward. |
| Website | |
| forwardparty.com/ | |
The Forward Party is an American social movement and political action committee that seeks to form a political party that alleviates political polarization and reforms the political and economic systems of the United States.[1]
The movement, which was founded by entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, is based upon the core tenets of alleviating political polarization and modernizing the government. The Party was officially formed on October 5, 2021, for the purpose of providing these registered voters with an alternative to America's two-party system.[2]
Origins[edit]
In his 2021 book Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy, Yang announced the creation of the party writing "we are witnessing a cascade of crises [and our]...democratic institutions are faltering right and left, and our systems are not designed for speed or significant change." Yang also criticized American political leaders writing "our leaders are rewarded based not on solving problems but on accruing resources and retaining office."[2][3][4]
Yang said that the need for a third party has been exacerbated because of the state of news media, social media, political stress and reject political violence.[5][6] Additionally, because of state of American politics, where 83% of members of Congress are in safe seats, elected officials are rewarded for polarization and characterization of the other political side as evil given that the primary is the de facto election.[5]
Yang said that part of the reason why he wanted to start a third-party, rather than a caucus within the Democratic Party, is that a majority of states with ballot initiatives are red states and that efforts to institute electoral changes would be partisan and not system wide.[7] Yang also said that the two-party is too fragile, especially in comparison to countries in Europe like the United Kingdom or Sweden where there are multiple political parties, because if one party becomes too fringe, then half the system fails.[8] To illustrate this point, Yang cited the growing influence of "hardcore Donald Trump supporters" within the Republican Party and the power lobbies such as the pharmaceutical industry and teachers unions have over the Democratic Party.[7]
Founding and future[edit]
The Forward Party was officially founded on October 5, 2021. Yang stated that he would have liked to have implemented the Forward Party's platform within the Democratic Party. However, he felt that the implementation of ranked-choice voting and open primaries would be difficult to get the Democratic Party to support.[5]
24 states have ballot initiatives and the Forward Party is organizing people to get initiatives, similar to Alaska Measure 2, in support of ranked-choice voting and open primaries on statewide ballots in 2022. The Forward Party will also be endorsing candidates, running as both Democrats and Republicans in the 2022 midterms, who support open primaries, ranked choice voting, fact-based governance and modern effective government.[5]
Yang stated that the Forward Party is not interested in running a candidate for president, but is focused on trying to decrease partisan gridlock within Congress and state legislatures.[7] However, on the Forward Party website, the organization has stated if there was a demand amongst American voters for a third party presidential candidate it would look to address it. The Forward Party has stated it may hold its own primary process to nominate a candidate prior to the 2024 United States presidential election.[9]
Political positions[edit]
Six-core principles[edit]
The Forward Party is focused on its six-core principles: open primaries, ranked-choice voting, fact-based governance, universal basic income, human-centered economy, grace and tolerance, and modern effective government. The Party did not take a stand on many social issues.
Bureaucracy[edit]
- Modernization of government[5]
- Policy decisions that are fact-based[5]
- Regulation of former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists[10]
Economic issue[edit]
- Enactment of universal basic income[2]
- Reformation of the economic system based upon Human-Centered Capitalism[5]
Individual rights[edit]
- Assertion of data as a property right[10]
Term limits[edit]
- Institution of 18-year term limits for members of Congress[7]
Voting and electoral reform[edit]
- Elimination of big money in politics[10]
- Expansion of open primaries[2]
- Implementation of ranked-choice voting[2]
- Use of redistricting commissions to avoid gerrymandering[10]
Reception[edit]
The Forward Party faced criticism from some Democrats, who believe the party could have a spoiler effect and benefit Republicans.[11] Others praised the party, including opinion writer for the New York Times, Kara Swisher, who said "Yang does not just give us a laundry list of intractable problems, but shows how we can find solutions if we think in new ways and summon the courage to do so."[3]
Yang contests that the Forward Party will not serve a spoiler because it will endorse any Democrats and Republicans who support the party's platform. The website of the movement also states that until the voting system is reformed, any candidates affiliated with the Forward Party will likely run as a member of one of the two major parties.[12] Additionally, the Forward Party is in favor of open primaries and ranked choice voting, which also would end the lesser of two evils mentality when voting.[5] It will also exist as a social movement, in support of the party's principles, open to Democrats, Republicans, and independents without registering as a member of the Forward Party.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Forward Party". October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Andrew Yang's new 3rd party will be called 'The Forward Party,' according to his forthcoming book". Insider Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Andrew Yang to launch a third party". Politico. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ↑ "Andrew Yang discusses new book and big ideas in live forum". NPR. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Andrew Yang Is Back for a Third Round". The New York Times. September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ↑ "Andrew Yang: How to get our democracy working again". CNN. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Krystal Ball interviews Andrew Yang about starting a new political party". Forward on YouTube. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ↑ "Andrew Yang needs to stop trying to make Andrew Yang happen". Mic. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ↑ "Frequently asked questions". Forward Party. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Platform". Forward Party. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ↑ "'No One Even Came to His First Two Parties': Twitter Mocks The Stuffing Out of News That Andrew Yang Is Starting a Third Party". Mediaite. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ↑ "FAQ". Forward Party. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
External links[edit]
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