We are continuing our meditation with Patrice Mersault, who tells us he recently joined a gathering of “young Leftists” discussing “democratic socialism” and what it had to bring to the current political scene.*
They begin with the concern that ”concentrated wealth has captured American democracy in both parties.”
Anna, the lead-off speaker, stressed that capitalism leaves people “isolated,” “atomized,” feeling alone, and vulnerable to seeking quick hits of dopamine on their phones, etc.
In contrast, meaning and purpose are meant to be at the heart of work.
And, I would add, as I do in the final chapter of my book on reinventing work, ritual. Ritual is meant to be a summary celebration of the work we do during the week. The Sabbath is One Big Thank You after all for our existence, our bodies, our time on Earth, and our energy and health for good work.
Service, compassion, relief of pain, providing of needs, and celebrating life together are the essence of good work. And ritual celebrates them all.
Ritual can include sport and entertainers, as happened recently at the World Cup Finals event where the half-time show as well as the contest spoke that language.
Why not substitute sports for war? Indigenous Inuit tribes at the North Pole used to throw a poetry contest when war was imminent, drawing forth the best poets from each tribe to go at it. A jury made of members of both tribes rendered the verdict of the best poet. And war was abated.
Maybe a soccer match between Iran and Israel? And Iran and the US?
Back to Patrice’s experience. He tells us he found the atmosphere of the gathering not one of resistance so much as “momentum” and “confidence.”
Patrice observes that political platforms can get bogged down in policy, but the “Workers Deserve More” document was different. It offered an explanation of why the world looks the way it does and why so many people are struggling in the richest country on earth. How some benefit—but not most. And how a different economic order is possible. I am reminded of the work of David Korten and that of Sharif Abdullah, Creating a World That Works for All.
What separated the democratic socialists from “most liberals” was that the latter believe the economy is producing unacceptable outcomes. Democratic socialists believe it’s producing exactly the outcomes it was designed to produce. That is, it works for “the people who already hold economic power.”
The system is functioning exactly as intended—and unaffordable housing, employer-based healthcare, layoffs, widening inequality, and AI are intended. Something more than repair is demanded. For the bosses, landlords, the capitalist class, “things are going according to plan.”
The argument isn’t just about people but “about power.” Capitalism is more than an economic system—“it’s a way of distributing power….Insurance companies decide whether you receive medical care,” etc.
The bottom line is: “Who gets to make the decisions that shape other people’s lives?” Capital is organized, very well organized. Workers need to be too. Their bottom line amounts to offering a “theory of how society works and just as importantly, what human beings need in order to flourish.” What do people need in order to live fully human lives? Policies flow from that bigger question.
A permanent state of insecurity marks the current reality, whether one is talking of getting a job, having healthcare, childcare or housing. “Chronic economic anxiety leaves very little room for anything else.”
Their platform called for a 32-hour work week with no reduction in pay. More time for family, friendships, education, hobbies, community, or rest.
Is the purpose of an economy to improve human life?
*Patrice Mersault, “PART 2: I Went to a Meeting of Young Leftists,” Open Letters By Mersault, July 19, 2026.
Banner Image: “Justice for All.” Mural at the Service Employees International Union, Boston, MA. Photo by Nick Normal on Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
Do you agree that behind economic issues lie distribution of power issues? What do you feel humans need in order to flourish? Is our economic system capable of delivering on that score?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood for Our Time
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision For a New Generation
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Matthew Fox, Skylar Wilson and Jen Listug: Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action
Religion USA: Religion & Culture by way of Time Magazine
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
Charles Burack, ed., Matthew Fox: Essential Writings in Creation Spirituality
3 thoughts on “Mersault On the Young Democratic Socialists, continued”
I do largely agree with Mersault.
However a healthy spirituality must undergird all efforts here.
Politics that emphasizes the influence and
elimination of unlimited money is necessary. Prioritizing the common good and justice should be obvious to those who take a healthy spirituality seriously.
Yes! The basic human and spiritual values should be part of any economic system such as Social Justice and the dignity, creativity, and respect of all workers and their families for a sustainable and communal living for All, regardless of the nature of their work…
Words have power, especially in the political arena. In a country whose president was mentored by Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and where socialism vs. communism is widely considered as a case of potayto vs. potahto, “democratic socialism” is probably not the most savvy political brand one can think of.