Political Dharma

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Alan Z on politics from a theoretical, historical, ethical, spiritual, and activist standpoint. He presents a non-sectarian socialist perspective with a role for electoral politics, and connects personal spiritual development to political activism. Alan has been a political science professor, a meditation teacher, and a mental health counselor as well as a political activist. Political Dharma is also available in a video version on YouTube. (This channel was previously named Alan on Politics.) Opening and closing music courtesy of composers Joey Helpish and Patty Rose; check out strpod.com

Alan Zundel


    • May 17, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 178 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Political Dharma

    Green Party candidate Ware's strategy; RFK ballot case results in law change; Freedom Fest scheduled

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 22:45


    The InfluenceWatch website was my source for the info on the President of Open Primaries.02:06: Robert F. Kennedy ballot case;04:38: Green Party CA governor candidate Butch Ware;19:35: Freedom Fest for independents and libertarians

    Join the Alliance for a New America!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 10:18


    Alan talks about you can participate in implementing the Agenda of a New America.

    RFK Jr. vs. AOC in 2028? News updates and analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 34:49


    I give a few brief updates on alternative political parties, then discuss the rising profiles of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the roles they may play in the 2028 Presidential election. I also explain how the recent history of the Republican Party can help us understand what is happening in the Democratic Party and what new possibilities this opens.01:30: The Libertarian Party in danger of collapse;04:40: Update on the Green Party;05:05: Growth of the Forward Party;08:00: RFK's rising profile among Republicans;16:15: Nicole Shanahan expresses doubt about RFK;18:59: AOC's as a possible Presidential contender;26:06: Republicans' history compared to Democrats' current situation.

    Worker cooperatives are the answer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 28:34


    Alan explains why a system of employee-controlled businesses would solve economic and environmental problems better than either Trump's MAGA agenda or the policy proposals of the Democrats.01:08: The chief problems we face02:23: The MAGA agenda06:29: The Democratic agenda10:41: Why an agenda of worker control would work better13:39: The Mondragon Coops as a real-world example26:11: Initiatives in the U.S.

    How we can fulfill the Agenda for a New America

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 23:02


    Alan describes a strategy for advancing the Agenda for a New America into its eventual fulfillment. 

    Adding animal rights to the Agenda for a New America

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 47:21


    05:04: Brief updates on political parties, RFK Jr., Nicole Shanahan10:12: Review of the Agenda for a New America12:30: Addition regarding sacredness of nature12:57: How Christian culture affects U.S. politics19:07: Moral foundations of rights27:07: Political rights29:58: Do animals have rights?35:06: General moral principles and specific applications42:31: Is eating meat moral?

    An agenda for a New America

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 31:23


    Alan explains the background of the agenda for a New America and describes its main proposals and principles.00:19: Why I was covering independent and alternative party candidates02:19: The Third Party Project and my change of direction04:49: How my focus will be shifting going forward08:13: Historical background for the agenda for a New America12:08: An overview of the agenda17:21: The economic agenda: voluntary exchanges21:10: The economic agenda: employee control of big businesses24:00: The economic agenda: property rights & responsibilities29:00: The economic agenda: a guaranteed income

    03/28/2025: Updates on Shanahan (CA govr's race, her conversion) & RFK Jr. (HHS cuts, measles, etc)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 38:00


    01:34: Nicole Shanahan announcement about CA governor's race;03:29: More on Shanahan's conversion to Christianity;10:19: RFK Jr. cuts workforce in Dept. of Health & Human Services;16:54: Recently resigned CDC director criticizes RFK;22:17: TX girl's death claimed not to be due to measles;27:53: RFK pushes ban on using SNAP benefits for soft drinks;31:05: RFK pushes for testing food additives;34:06: Update on my plans for the show.

    Assessing the political situation and my response to it

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 28:27


    Alan discusses the current political situation: the actions of the Trump administration, the flailing of the Democrats, and how they both are complicit in where we find ourselves. He then explains his own political activities and motivations over the last few decades, why he created this channel, and where he might go from here.

    The American Solidarity Party: an interview with Desmond Silveira

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 48:31


    Alan interviews Desmond Silveiria, an activist in the American Solidarity Party, about the party's principles, platform, strategies and more. Silveira was the party's Presidential campaign manager in 2016 and a candidate for California Governor in 2018, among other roles he has played in the party.

    03/14/2025: RFK meets with food CEOs; HHS gives DOGE access to data; vaccine advisor conflicts; etc

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 26:36


    01:08: RFK Jr. pressures food companies about additives;04:08: MAHA commission holds first meeting;05:29: HHS buyout offer to employees;06:30: HHS grants DOGE access to database;07:32: CDC nominee withdrawn due to vaccine positions;09:25: CDC posts vaccine advisor conflict list;16:17: Nicole Shanahan criticizes Trump decision;18:10: Shanahan offers funds for chronic disease research;18:49: revisiting my comments on L.A. wildfires;22:18: revisiting my comments on Shanahan conversion.

    03/12/2025: New socialist party? Plus news on Green Party, Forward Party & new electoral reform org

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 18:51


    01:37: Workers Strike Back first national convention;08:32: Green Party announces national meeting;09:06: state senator switches from Republican to Forward Party;10:15: Forward Party reveals plans for this year;11:05: Democrat Dean Phillips calls for third party;13:56: former Libertarian Party chair to speak at forum;15:12: & a new electoral reform organization.

    03/08/2025: RFK measles response, HHS & public comments, scientists let go; PLUS Nicole funds recall

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 33:09


    01:56: RFK Jr. responses to measles criticism;14:33: HHS rescinds public comments rule;20:28: scientists' HHS contracts not renewed;24:25: RFK to meet with food corporations;25:56: Nicole Shanahan funds L.A. mayor recall.

    03/05/2025: Left parties advanced in election; Libertarian Party RIP? Plus new ballot access group

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 38:17


    01:26: Green Party vote vs Libertarian Party vote in Presidential race;05:48: Green Party vote in Congressional races;07:22 Working Class Party vote in Congressional races;08:13: Green, Libertarian, independent vote in state legislative races;12:07: Presidential vote for Party of Socialism & Liberation;14:09: Libertarian Party leadership criticized for selling office;18:23: former LP chair Angela McArdle defends her leadership;25:56: Alan's commentary on McArdle interview;30:50: Libertarians losing voters to new parties;33:51: RFK supporters form group to improve ballot access laws.

    02/28/2025: RFK updates & Nicole Shanahan's X posts on geoengineering and her religious conversion

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 36:08


    (Sorry about the occasion sound quality issue)01:39: Another vaccine advisory panel put on hold;06:00: COVID trial also put on hold;08:08: RFK Jr. remarks on measles outbreak;12:42: Supreme Court refuses RFK ballot case;14:23: Nicole Shanahan's geoengineering post;25:14: Shanahan's conversion to Christianity.

    02/22/2025: Libertarians; CA top-two voting lawsuit; independent candidate reflections; plus more

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 20:58


    01:18: New plan to investigate former Libertarian Party chair,03:18: Another party joins California lawsuit vs top-two voting,07:01: Independent Congressional candidate shares reflections,17:28: Leftist organizers meet in Seattle this weekend.

    02/22/2025 RFK WATCH: Shanahan as HHS advisor; HHS firings, RFK's reception by HHS

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 20:16


    This weekend I break my update into two videos, this one covering Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a second one covering alternative political parties and independents. In this video I look into Nicole Shanahan's role in the Dept. of Health & Human Services, the mass firings at HHS, RFK's speech to his new colleagues, and the reception to his speech at HHS.

    02/15/2025: RFK Jr. & Tulsi take office; updates on Libertarians, Greens & United Independents

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 16:40


    00:52: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. & Tulsi Gabbard confirmed,03:47: Why health care lobby couldn't stop RFK,09:04: Libertarian Party discusses sale of headquarters,09:52: Green Party considers tracking nonpartisan wins,12:16: United Independents' plans in motion,14:22: My plan for endorsement vote in CA governor race.

    The 3rd Party Project: A way out of the crisis of our two-party system?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 22:31


    00:34: Description of the proposed organization02:26: The crisis of the two-party system in the U.S.04:35: Why does the U.S. have a two-party system?07:56: The prospects of change in the major parties12:16: The role of alternative parties in the system13:55: Why an alternative party has not emerged15:53: The problem with voting reform as a solution17:37: The benefits of the proposed new organization20:06: STAR Voting and how it works

    02/08/2025: Updates on RFK nomination, Libertarians, Greens, and independent candidate organizations

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 24:11


    00:56: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. & Tulsi Gabbard nominations,05:10: Libertarian Party elects new chair,09:00: Green Party VP candidate Butch Ware to run for governor,16:33: Bernie Sanders consultants to help independents,19:02: more on the Good Party,20:37: more on the Third Party Project.

    02/01/2025 Updates: RFK hearings; Dems vs Greens; Libertarian chair; CA top-two suit; the Good Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 25:48


    01:24: Trump sledgehammers bureaucracy, 04:20: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Senate hearings, 05:42: Nicole Shannahan's warning to Senators, 08:22:: Democrats elect new party chair, 08:57: DNC candidate threatens Green Party, 10:15: former Libertarian chair gets new job, 12:08: California responds to top-two lawsuit, 14:24: update on my Third Party project, 15:21: more on the Good Party, 19:11: update on United Independents, 19:49: Jesus and Christian nationalism

    01/25/2025: Updates on RFK, Justice For All & Libertarian parties; plus more on indept voter orgs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 27:31


    01:12: Trump orders release of assassination documents, 04:14: Committee hearing on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination, 05:51: Bernie Sanders files to run in 2030, 07:00: Trump nominees confirmed, 09:27: Cornel West's Justice For All Party gets organized, 11:12: Libertarian Party chair resigns, 12:51: The Good Party assists independent candidates, 17:48: United Independents founder explains goals.

    A People's Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 20:44


    I present a model of what the U.S. economy could look like which is different from Trump's economic nationalism, Biden's industrial policy, business conservatism, or progressivism. I also explain the political tradition behind the model and give examples from the policy program which have been instituted in history.

    Politics & the economy: Where are we headed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 42:30


    I discuss four potential paths offered in the national discussion to deal with economic issues after the failure of the neo-liberal era. These are Trump's economic nationalism, Biden's industrial policy, progressivism, and economic conservatism. To assess them I point out the main dynamics driving economic and political change across U.S. history and apply them to each of these paths.

    01/11/2025: RFK accused of voting fraud; Dems shun party label; Libertarian Party update; & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2025 24:19


    00:51: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. accused of voting fraud, 08:19: Trump vote certified and court sentence determined, 11:52: Democrats shun party label to run as independents, 18:04: Libertarian Party judicial committee overturns suspension of Secretary, 20:51: update on my third party project

    Politics, human development, and meditation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 21:03


    Alan talks about the interconnection between our political existence and spirituality, defining spirituality as a development of human personhood in its aspects of mind, emotions, and will. He also describes a method of meditation that can help facilitate this development.

    01/04/2025: Factions in the new Congress; updates on alternative parties and top-two voting lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 27:49


    02:50: Party composition of the new Congress 08:54: The fight over electing the Speaker of the House 11:43: Elon Musk's influence on Congress 15:25: Splits in the Democratic caucuses 19:43: Ballot access of alternative parties 21:11: FEC inquiry into Kennedy/Libertarian fund 23:34: Two-top voting lawsuit delayed

    Challengers to two-party dominance: Looking back & looking forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 32:36


    I reflect on my coverage of the Presidential campaign over the last year and the future of non-major party candidates and parties: 01:48: the major parties rigging their primaries 08:42: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign and prospects for a Cabinet position 18:37: Jill Stein and movements to unify parties and organizations on the left 25:00: the financial problems of the Libertarian Party 28:30: uniting independents and third parties behind a Congressional slate 29:50: other topics I plan to cover in 2025.

    Greens replace Libertarians as top alternative party, plus more on creating a new kind of party

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 22:55


    I offer more evidence from this Presidential election that the Green Party has displaced the Libertarian Party as the top alternative party in the United States. I also talk some more about how to begin creating a different kind of alternative party that includes multiple ideological perspectives and a fairer voting system.

    A "mothership" party for alternative political candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 41:14


    I report on the states in which non-major party Presidential candidates did better, the fracturing of the Libertarian Party, and the ongoing realignments of the major parties. I also discuss my concept of a "mothership" party for alternative political candidates and my desire for a participating minor party based on a version of libertarian socialism.

    California open primary top-two lawsuit: analysis and implications

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 39:33


    I discuss the minor party lawsuit against California's "open primary" top-two election system, how previous court decisions will likely determine the outcome, and the implications for electoral method reforms in other states. I also look at ways that California could try to fix their election method to meet court approval (and what it might mean for my idea of a new political party).

    Minor parties sue CA over top-two voting system; Bernie wants more independents; Green Party in flux

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 53:51


    03:04 I look at the lawsuit the Peace and Freedom, Libertarian, and Green parties have brought against California's "open primary" top-two election system, including some previous pertinent court decisions. 23:22 I discuss Bernie Sanders' call for more independent candidates to run for office. 35:56 After a clip of Jill Stein's remarks about the Green Party possibly being in a process of significant change, I give my views on the party. 47:10 Report on the No Labels lawsuit against Democratic operatives' sabotage of their Presidential campaign hopes. 50:21 The Libertarian Party claims Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the Cabinet nominee that Donald Trump promised them.

    Election follow-up: RFK Jr.; Green Party's Jill Stein & Butch Ware; and Alaska ranked choice voting

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 29:48


    I check in on what some of the alternative Presidential candidates are doing: Robert F. Kennedy's effort to win Senate confirmation to head the Dept. of Health & Human Services; and Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Socialism & Liberation Party candidate Claudia de La Cruz working together on protests for Presidential Inauguration Day. Also: Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Butch Ware running for California Governor; the results of the Alaska ranked choice voting repeal; and more. 

    Why did Open Primary/Ranked Choice Voting ballot measures go down in flames this year?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 51:14


    I interview Sara Wolk, the Executive Director of the Equal Vote Coalition, about the several open primary/ranked choice voting ballot measures that failed in the November 2024 elections. Sara explains the talking points vs. the reality of RCV elections, why voters have turned against voting method reforms this year, and the big money behind RCV. She also describes voting methods better than RCV, particularly STAR Voting. For more info on alternative voting methods, go to https://www.equal.vote For more on STAR Voting, go to https://www.starvoting.org And to help the mission of the Equal Vote Coalition, please donate at https://www.equal.vote/donate

    Challenging the 2-party system: What's next?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 36:45


    I review the campaigns of alternative Presidential candidates such as Cornel West, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Chase Oliver and draw some lessons about ways to challenge the two-party system. I also outline a new idea about how to move forward in empowering voters against an entrenched political system. 

    Nov. 12, 2024: Did RFK cause Trump's win? Election update, analysis, and answers to questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 41:21


    In this video I update the election result numbers and review the overall pattern showing what happened: where previous Democratic votes went and where new Republican votes came from. I also consider and try to answer three questions: (1) Did Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s suspension of his campaign and endorsement of Trump cause Trump's win?, (2) What caused the big bump in votes for Biden in 2020?, and (3) did someone rig the vote so Jill Stein, RFK and Chase Oliver all got about .4% of the vote?

    Nov. 8, 2024: Elections results by the numbers--Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, &RFK

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 30:35


    I take a second look at the election results using the vote totals for each candidate and comparing the 2024 election to the last few Presidential elections. This gave me a different story about Trump's victory, the Democrats loss, the role of RFK in the election, and how the Libertarian and Green Parties are doing over time. 

    Initial election results: alternative Presidential candidates and voting method reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 20:44


    I discuss the Presidential election, how the independent and minor party candidates did, and why I think Donald Trump won. I also give the results of ballot measures in several states to change voting methods such as with open primaries and ranked choice voting.

    Presidential candidates Jill Stein, Cornel West, & Claudia De la Cruz agree to cooperate

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 13:28


    Presidential candidate Claudia De la Cruz of the Party of Socialism and Liberation has entered into agreements with both independent candidate Cornel West and Jill Stein of the Green Party to cooperate in helping each other's campaigns. I talk about their agreement and what it may mean for future challenges to the two major parties.

    Nov. 2, 2024: RFK, Jill Stein & other candidate updates, plus Trump's "little secret"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 35:36


    I give updates on alternative Presidential candidates such as former candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver, including court cases involving ballot access, RFK's future role in a Trump administration, and polling showing the candidates' likely support among voters. I also reveal what Donald Trump's "little secret" with House Speaker Mike Johnson is.

    Politics, spirituality, and this election

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 26:19


    I talk about the fear, anger and confusion surrounding this election season and how I understand it from my own spiritual perspective. My discussion includes counter-acting fear, anger, and division; what spirituality means to me; the background of my own views on spirituality and politics; and how I understand politics and political activism.

    Oct. 25, 2024: What to watch for this election--major parties, alternative candidates, voting reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 31:48


    What to watch for in the upcoming election results: how the major party coalitions will be affected; what percent of the vote candidates such as Jill Stein, Chase Oliver and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are able to get; and how voting method reform initiatives do in several states.

    Thoughts on which Presidential candidate to vote for

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 23:27


    To be transparent with viewers about my perspective on the Presidential race, I explain my thoughts on which candidate I will--and won't--be voting for.

    Oct. 19, 2024: The Party System Shake-up

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 34:41


    I examine how group loyalties are shifting between the Democratic, Republican, Green and Libertarian Parties, the dependence of the Libertarian Party on fundraising with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the migration of Libertarians into new Liberal Parties, and what all this means for a potential major realignment of the party ecosystem. 

    Oct. 12, 2024: Assessing the Presidential candidate coalitions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 58:09


    I explain the coalitions that back five Presidential candidates: Democrat Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, Libertarian Chase Oliver, the Green Party's Jill Stein, and former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. I also give some historical background on the shifting coalitions of the Democratic and Republican Parties and give my considerations about who to vote for.

    Why the U.S. has a two-party system and what can be done about it

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 23:02


    I discuss the historical origins of the two-party system in the creation of the office of U.S. President, the vote splitting dynamic and its results, and how the party system can be reformed to be more responsive to voters.

    Oct. 5, 2024: Minor parties & open primaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 40:34


    I give updates on the RFK-to-Trump voters and the Green Party strategy in New York, and then give an extensive explanation of what open primaries are and how current reform initiatives could impact independent and minor party candidates.

    Sept. 29, 2024: Updates on RFK, Jill Stein, etc. plus a discussion of ranked choice voting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 35:27


    I give updates on court decisions in ballot access cases involving Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Jill Stein, examine an article purporting to show who RFK supporters intend to vote for, explain ranked choice voting, and show where you can do a mock Presidential vote using different voting methods.

    Interview: Political moral courage--standing up to Donald Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 44:37


    Is there any way RFK could win in a contingent election?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 32:10


    I explain why a "faithless elector" might want to cast a vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Electoral College if it looked like there would be a contingent election after the vote is counted in November, how the contingent election process works, and how a deal between Donald Trump and RFK could result in a Kennedy Presidency. 

    Sept. 21, 2024: Presidential election outlook; is a contingent election still possible? Plus more.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 34:28


    I look at which candidates will be on the most ballots, whether a contingent election is still possible, and the potential impact of the vote for non-major party candidates. I also make a couple announcements about a candidate debate and a voting method reform symposium.

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