Andrew Yang Advocates for Political Change at Brown University

Andrew Yang Discusses Politics and Third-Party Alternatives

Andrew Yang, a Brown University alumnus from the class of 1996 and former presidential candidate, made a splash on campus Monday night, rallying students and community members. The event titled “A New Way Forward for American Politics,” hosted by the Brown Political Union, was moderated by the club’s president, Logan Tullai. Discussion topics included Yang’s views on the political climate, his unsuccessful runs for office, and the importance of creating a political path beyond the traditional two-party system, which he believes is increasingly inadequate for effective governance.

Forward Party Aims to Challenge Polarization in Politics

Yang, who previously ran for president in 2020 and New York City mayor in 2021, explained his transition from the Democratic Party to founding the Forward Party in October 2021. The new party aims to shift power back to voters. His commentary was not just theoretical—he claimed the political landscape is incredibly polarized and filled with challenges that hinder meaningful solutions. He argued that politicians are primarily motivated by party loyalty instead of productive legislation, leading to citizens feeling their votes don’t count.

Yang’s Background and Thoughts on Economic Challenges

Reflecting on his time at Brown, Yang revealed that while he wasn’t politically active as a student, his experiences helped shape his future. He fondly reminisced about his first-year job cooking at Josiah’s and indulging in video games. However, witnessing the consequences of the Trump administration spurred him into action, driving him to raise awareness about the economic disruptions caused by technology. His prominent proposal, the Freedom Dividend, aims to provide every American adult with $1,000 monthly to cushion the impact of automation.