---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Incrementalism versus revolution has been…"
description: "\"Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental battle in the Democratic Party since self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg"
---

#  Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental…

![“Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental battle in the Democratic Party since self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., entered the primary to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination back in 2015.” quote by Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg)

> “Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental battle in the Democratic Party since self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., entered the primary to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination back in 2015.”

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote contrasts gradual policy change with radical overhaul, noting the long‑standing tension within the Democratic Party especially since Bernie Sanders entered the race.

**In simple terms:** Gradual change vs. radical change in politics.

Key Takeaway

Recognize both approaches’ strengths.

Themes

politics strategy party dynamics

Mood

analytical critical

Type

observational political

When to use this quote

- campaigns
- policy debates
- grassroots organizing
- legislative reform

Key Concepts

incrementalism revolution ideology

Questions to Reflect On

- Which approach better addresses urgent issues?
- How can parties balance both methods?

A Different Perspective

Revolution may overlook practical constraints and incrementalism can be too slow.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Democratic party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-party/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [Bernie Sanders is making a big and potentially dangerous mistake with his continuing insistence on changes to the Democratic Party's rules and platform. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-m-daley/bernie-sanders-is-making-a-big-and-potentially-dangerous-mistake-with/)

[William M. Daley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-m-daley/)

> [If Bernie Sanders were liberated from the Democratic Party, it might be a whole new ballgame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-bernie-sanders-were-liberated-from-the-democratic-party-it-might/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [ They knocked out Bernie \[Sanders\] as they would have knocked him out, like \[Barack\] Obama if he came into office. So I don't think… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/they-knocked-out-bernie-sanders-as-they-would-have-knocked-him-out/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [When Bernie Sanders came along, and I liked his tweets and I read more about him, researched him more, I decided I like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/when-bernie-sanders-came-along-and-i-liked-his-tweets-and-i-read-more/)

[Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/)

> [Bernie's campaign was very principled in most regards, I think, you know, he certainly didn't go far enough in questioning the military policy, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/bernie-s-campaign-was-very-principled-in-most-regards-i-think-you/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [ The most important thing will be building a bench of powerhouse progressives in elected office and in the next administration. \[Bernie\] Sanders has an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wikler/the-most-important-thing-will-be-building-a-bench-of-powerhouse/)

[Ben Wikler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wikler/)

> [ The terrible trade deals that Bernie \[Sanders\] was so vehemently against - and he was right on that - will be taken care of,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-terrible-trade-deals-that-bernie-sanders-was-so-vehemently/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [There's kind of a Tom Harkin aspect to Bernie Sanders, even though Harkin is supporting Secretary Clinton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/there-s-kind-of-a-tom-harkin-aspect-to-bernie-sanders-even-though/)

[John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/)

> [Bernie Sanders has inspired millions of people in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/bernie-sanders-has-inspired-millions-of-people-in-this-country/)

[Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/)

> [Bernie Sanders is the only politician who, consistently for 50 years, has taken that social justice platform into politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/bernie-sanders-is-the-only-politician-who-consistently-for-50-years/)

[Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/)

> [51 years ago, when Hillary Clinton was working on the Goldwater campaign, Bernie Sanders was getting locked up for my rights. 50 years later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/51-years-ago-when-hillary-clinton-was-working-on-the-goldwater/)

[Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/)

> [I'm going to tell my contestants: Be Bernie Sanders. Be the person people want and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/i-m-going-to-tell-my-contestants-be-bernie-sanders-be-the-person/)

[Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/)

> [ Remember, Bernie \[Sanders\] was the guy. He was the one guy that could win this, and head-to-head he could go against \[Donald\] Trump and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/remember-bernie-sanders-was-the-guy-he-was-the-one-guy-that-could-win/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [ The debate was a chance for senator \[Bernie\] Sanders to have a game-changing moment to recapture the news cycle and build momentum going into… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-debate-was-a-chance-for-senator-bernie-sanders-to-have-a-game/)

[Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/)

> [ Look at what I am proposing, and we \[wih Bernie Sanders\] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-bernie-sanders-have-a-vigorous/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

## More by Jessica Tarlov

> [Biden's political positions have been evolving for decades, shifting more to the left on critical issues such as criminal justice reform, gay marriage, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/biden-s-political-positions-have-been-evolving-for-decades-shifting/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [Anyone who believes in good government and our Constitution should support coming together as a country to set some modern-day standards for not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/anyone-who-believes-in-good-government-and-our-constitution-should/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I wasn't alive when President Nixon was impeached, but I know that public opinion changed over time and that there was very little support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-wasn-t-alive-when-president-nixon-was-impeached-but-i-know-that/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I was not won over by Trump's campaign in 2016, but I can admit that he had an uncanny ability to read a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-was-not-won-over-by-trump-s-campaign-in-2016-but-i-can-admit-that/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [The 2020 Democratic primary is a failure of politics. Too many candidates in concert with media, dedicated to serving the interests of all Americans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/the-2020-democratic-primary-is-a-failure-of-politics-too-many/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [Anyone who is good enough for Barack Obama to back is good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/anyone-who-is-good-enough-for-barack-obama-to-back-is-good-enough-for/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [The beauty of a Biden presidency is that you don't have to like him to know he will be good for America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/the-beauty-of-a-biden-presidency-is-that-you-don-t-have-to-like-him/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I went straight into grad school out of college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-went-straight-into-grad-school-out-of-college/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [Norms and limits matter. Voters like outside-the-box thinking and innovation, but they like reliability and expertise more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/norms-and-limits-matter-voters-like-outside-the-box-thinking-and/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I don't want to feel like I felt on election night in 2016 ever again, which was completely shell-shocked by the result.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-don-t-want-to-feel-like-i-felt-on-election-night-in-2016-ever-again/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [There's no good reason that progressives should have the monopoly on emotional politicking. Moderate Democrats care just as much as they do about gun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/there-s-no-good-reason-that-progressives-should-have-the-monopoly-on/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [The public has a short memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/the-public-has-a-short-memory/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [John Bel Edwards isn't your average Democrat. No one would expect a Louisiana statewide official to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/john-bel-edwards-isn-t-your-average-democrat-no-one-would-expect-a/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I think about running for office someday and I know I'll always keep my foot in the political door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-think-about-running-for-office-someday-and-i-know-i-ll-always-keep/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

> [I agree with Democrats seeking Trump's impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-agree-with-democrats-seeking-trump-s-impeachment-for-abuse-of-power/)

[Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

[Explore all 99 Jessica Tarlov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/)

## More Battle quotes

> [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/)

[Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/)

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/)

[Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/)

> [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/)

[Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/)

> [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/)

[Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/)

> [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/)

[Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/)

> [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/)

[Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/)

> [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/)

[Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/)

> [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/)

[Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/)

> [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/)

[David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/)

> [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/)

[Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/)

> [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/)

[Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/)

[Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental battle in the Democratic Party since self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., entered the primary to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination back in 2015.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jessica Tarlov"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-been-the-fundamental-battle-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Battle"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-been-the-fundamental-battle-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/jessica-tarlov-6366_battle_incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-bee_691399.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Incrementalism versus revolution has been the fundamental battle in the Democratic Party since…” — Jessica Tarlov",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jessica Tarlov",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Incrementalism versus revolution has been the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-been-the-fundamental-battle-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/incrementalism-versus-revolution-has-been-the-fundamental-battle-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
