Posted by: Liberal Arts Dude | September 4, 2009
So You Want to Change the System? (Part 1)
For background: read this first [So You Want To Form A New Party? Hmmm, Come With Me]
The blog post above got me thinking about the best way to focus my political energies as someone who is dissatisfied with American politics as it is run by the two major parties. I’ve been a strong critic of the two major parties the past several years in my blogs. The post made me think about what I can do—as in concrete action—about my dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
I don’t want to be just someone who complains from the sidelines. I don’t want to become cynical and just throw up my hands at how corrupt and hopeless everything is and end up not participating in politics at all, including foregoing the basic act of voting in elections. If we truly live in a participatory democracy, I want in on the action.
I’ve been mulling the idea of alternative parties for some time now. I have always wondered about what it takes to form a new political party that will serve as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. The link above illustrates pretty well the harsh realities of actually making it happen.
Basically the essay illustrates point by point the logistics of forming and growing an alternative political party on a nationwide scale. Bottom line: organizing and growing a political party from the ground up is a massive undertaking. Almost overwhelming is my perception of the very real hurdles alternative parties face: organizing, attracting supporters, ballot access laws which discriminate against minor parties, the challenges of finding and hiring experienced and competent staff for political campaigns, fundraising, running candidates in elections, and taking on candidates of the two major parties in the political arena. This is what you face if you are interested in building something new and which doesn’t exist in American politics.
OK maybe forming a third party may not be the most practical route to take for most of us who do not have the time, money, and energy to devote their lives to full-time organizing and fundraising. Given the above what’s the best strategy to take for the average citizen who is interested in political change from the status quo? What types of very real and very concrete steps can one take as an individual and a citizen who wants to participate in the democratic process?
The only option is to join something that already exists. Thankfully, there is a vast landscape of organizations out there that can accommodate the energies of someone who wants to contribute to efforts of making political change. Check out my list on Part 2!
Posted in activism, anti-establishment, commentary, democracy, empowerment, independent, mainstream, participation, political parties, reform, third parties | Tags: civic engagement, Democrats, participatory democracy, politics, Republicans
For background: read this first [So You Want To Form A New Party? Hmmm, Come With Me]
The blog post above got me thinking about the best way to focus my political energies as someone who is dissatisfied with American politics as it is run by the two major parties. I’ve been a strong critic of the two major parties the past several years in my blogs. The post made me think about what I can do—as in concrete action—about my dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
I don’t want to be just someone who complains from the sidelines. I don’t want to become cynical and just throw up my hands at how corrupt and hopeless everything is and end up not participating in politics at all, including foregoing the basic act of voting in elections. If we truly live in a participatory democracy, I want in on the action.
I’ve been mulling the idea of alternative parties for some time now. I have always wondered about what it takes to form a new political party that will serve as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. The link above illustrates pretty well the harsh realities of actually making it happen.
Basically the essay illustrates point by point the logistics of forming and growing an alternative political party on a nationwide scale. Bottom line: organizing and growing a political party from the ground up is a massive undertaking. Almost overwhelming is my perception of the very real hurdles alternative parties face: organizing, attracting supporters, ballot access laws which discriminate against minor parties, the challenges of finding and hiring experienced and competent staff for political campaigns, fundraising, running candidates in elections, and taking on candidates of the two major parties in the political arena. This is what you face if you are interested in building something new and which doesn’t exist in American politics.
OK maybe forming a third party may not be the most practical route to take for most of us who do not have the time, money, and energy to devote their lives to full-time organizing and fundraising. Given the above what’s the best strategy to take for the average citizen who is interested in political change from the status quo? What types of very real and very concrete steps can one take as an individual and a citizen who wants to participate in the democratic process?
The only option is to join something that already exists. Thankfully, there is a vast landscape of organizations out there that can accommodate the energies of someone who wants to contribute to efforts of making political change. Check out my list on Part 2!
Posted in activism, anti-establishment, commentary, democracy, empowerment, independent, mainstream, participation, political parties, reform, third parties | Tags: civic engagement, Democrats, participatory democracy, politics, Republicans