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Atari Democrat
1980s–1990s tech-friendly moderate U.S. Democratic politicians
Atari Democrat
In 1980s and 1990s American politics, "Atari Democrat" referred to Democratic legislators who suggested that the support and development of high tech and related businesses would stimulate the economy and create jobs. The term refers to the Atari brand of video-game consoles and arcade machines, which was prominent in the 1980s. The term was initially used in 1982 for Democratic politicians' focus on investing in high tech industries over sunset industries, primarily Gary Hart, Bill Bradley, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, Paul Tsongas, and Tim Wirth. The New York Times discussed a generation gap that developed during the 1980s between older liberals who maintained an interest in traditional visions of social liberalism, and the Atari Democrats who attempted to find a middle ground. The Atari Democrats advocated for free markets, neo-liberalism, and for market forces being better able to offer solutions to environmental problems than actual regulations. The older liberals viewed them as advocates...
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