Phadke and Strom contend that post-election critiques suggesting voters rejected Biden’s progressive economic vision are misguided-particularly regarding care policy. They argue that the failure to deliver tangible care reforms-such as affordable childcare, eldercare, and paid family leave-is what harmed the agenda, not a lack of voter support. Importantly, they emphasize that many families are financially stretched due to care costs-sometimes surpassing mortgage or tuition expenses. The authors highlight that care is foundational to both economic security and democratic health, and that any credible post-neoliberal policy must prioritize its delivery.
They define the care agenda to include high-quality, accessible childcare; universal preschool; support for caring for the elderly or disabled; and the establishment of national paid family and medical leave. They also advocate for robust income support-like expanded child tax credits-to bolster family resilience. By framing care as both a public good and an economic imperative, they argue these policies not only enable workforce participation and early childhood development (yielding high returns per dollar spent), but are also essential to building a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive economy.