ABOUT THE BOOKS

A clear-eyed examination of the promise of socialism from Marx to Mamdani, why its appeal has returned among a younger generation of American voters, and why Democrats must revive a more sensible, FDR-era moderated capitalism.

The word “socialism”—embraced by some, feared by others, and often poorly defined by both—has re-entered the mainstream of Democratic politics, culminating in the election of self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York in 2025.

In Socialism and the Democratic Party, political strategist and commentator Blake Ashby examines the foundational economic theories of Karl Marx, the history of their real-world results, and their relationship with Democratic politics to reveal why modern forms of socialism will be unable to deliver on their promises—even when motivated by sincere moral aims.

By tracing how deregulation, ideological rigidity, and political polarization eroded the FDR-era model of moderated capitalism that produced historic growth and stability, this book offers a powerful path forward that challenges Democrats to reject false choices between extremes.

For readers seeking a thoughtful and pragmatic guide to how the Democratic Party can best move forward in (and beyond) the Trump era, this book delivers a vision for renewal grounded in what actually works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Blake Ashby is a successful entrepreneur, teacher, political strategist, and commentator. He and his wife are residents of Ferguson, Missouri, and were deeply involved in the healing process after Michael Brown’s death in 2014. Blake eventually served on the Ferguson City Council. After many years of voting Democratic, he recently formally joined the party and is now the president of the Ferguson Democratic Township. Through his “Red State Democrats” project, he is working with numerous Democratic candidates to help return the party to its economic roots and take back the House of Representatives.

Over a thirty-year career, he learned capitalism from the inside, helping to start dozens of successful companies as a consultant and principal, including one of the fastest broadband Internet providers in the world and one of the most successful legal cannabis companies in the United States. For many years, he oversaw a data standards body for the US meat and poultry industry. A longtime teacher of business and capitalism, he served as an executive coach for one of the leading university entrepreneurialism programs in the United States and helped develop an innovative class to teach capitalism to urban youth.

TALKING POINTS

• Why young voters are increasingly embracing socialism.
• The changing definitions of socialism and capitalism, and how language shapes today’s political debates.
• The evolution of socialist ideas from Marx to modern Democratic politics.
• How the Democratic Party can refocus on economic issues and rebuild trust with working voters. 
• How America moved away from the FDR-era model of moderated capitalism and the consequences of that shift.
• The impact of neoliberalism on economic opportunity, inequality, and public trust.
• The growing generational divide in how Americans view capitalism, opportunity, and the American Dream.
• The case for moderated capitalism as rejection of false choices between extremes.
• Why ideological labels often prevent meaningful conversations about economic policy.
• The dangers of political polarization and the growing pressure to choose between competing extremes.
• What the future of the Democratic Party depends on, and how it can build a broader coalition for the future.
• Why moderate Democrats shouldn’t be frightened by the new use of the word “socialism” by younger voters.
• Younger voters are using the term “socialism” for social responsibilities, like education.
• What Mamdani is calling for is the same as what FDR did with the New Deal. 
• Voters are again excited by the idea that the government can help make their lives better.
• Moderated capitalism didn’t fail our country—we failed to protect our moderated capitalism.
• The solution isn’t to end capitalism, it’s to again effectively moderate capitalism.
• It is this economic message that made Democrats the majority party, and it still resonates with voters.
• If the Democratic Party gets back to its core, to a focus on economic opportunity, it will have a successful midterm and 2028.

TIMELY TIE-INS

June – September

• 2026 Primary Season

   

July

• Independence Day – 4

August

• Back-to-school/college return
• Labor Day – 7

September

• Constitution Day – 17

   

November

• Midterm Elections – 3

PRAISE

“Few debates generate more heat—and less clarity—than socialism in American politics. Socialism and the Democratic Party cuts through the noise by examining the grievances behind its resurgence and how those ideas intersect with the Democratic Party’s history and realities, offering a balanced and engaging framework for understanding what comes next.”
—SLY JAMES, former mayor, Kansas City

“Socialism and the Democratic Party cuts through tired slogans and fossilized dogma to confront one of the defining debates in modern American politics. Blake Ashby makes a compelling case that the Democratic Party’s path forward lies not in ideological extremes but in a return to the proven balance of FDR-era moderated capitalism—where growth, opportunity, and broad-based prosperity go hand in hand. Clear, pragmatic, and grounded in both history and Ashby’s real-world business experience, this is a compelling read for all those serious about the future of the Democratic party.”
—KEN WEBER, coauthor of Branding Democrats