Forum Post: Re: The Populist Movement – A Short History of the Agararian Revolt in America by Lawrence Goodwyn
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 28, 2011, 6:58 a.m. EST by jimmiller5417
(25)
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This extraordinary study of the Populist Movement by Lawrence Goodwyn derserves a careful read by all who support the Occupy Movement. See: http://www.ratical.org/corporations/PMSHAGAintro.html
The Occupy movements have succeeded in attaining the first two public power elements of a populist movement, as described by Lawrence Goodwyn:
"The sequential process of democratic movement-building will be seen to involve four stages: (1) the creation of an autonomous institution where new interpretations can materialize that run counter to those of prevailing authority -- a development which, for the sake of simplicity, we may describe as “the movement forming”; (2) the creation of a tactical means to attract masses of people -- “the movement recruiting”; (3) the achievement of a heretofore culturally unsanctioned level of social analysis -- “the movement educating”; and (4) the creation of an institutional means whereby the new ideas, shared now by the rank and file of the mass movement, can be expressed in an autonomous political way -- “the movement politicized.” "
The General Assembly discussions and the Occupy websites are working to achieve the third element: “movement education.” The fourth element and the only one which can effect change in our political-economic systems is to create a New Party, and distance it from the Republicratic Party which is controlled by the Corporate State of Amercia, a minion of the New World Order. See: http://thedragonsteeth.wetpaint.com/page/THE+NEW+PARTY
After reading the above short history, then read the very astute reviews found at the Amazon site which are even more insightful. See:
http://www.amazon.com/Democratic-Promise-Populist-Movement-America/product-reviews/0195019962/ref=sr_1_3_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Jim Miller
jimmiller5417@gmail.com
Hi Jim! Translate it from Russian. It for understanding of that solution, which nobody can to beat. You can win in any election. God Bless You!
I disagree with this point. The creation of a new party will help promote isolation of our ideas at the political level, and it will do so both within the political arena and outside, in the minds of observers.
While these walls are primarily a matter of perception, the fact is this perception will tend to translate into opportunity for those who oppose our ideas, opportunity to reinforce that isolation with concrete measures.
With the creation of a new party, a single member may, with careful research, be selected by opposition, for the purpose of positive reinforcement of ideas and solutions that run contrary to both the new party as a whole and simple common sense - with the result of tarring the entire new party as a party of whack jobs and wing nuts.
By destroying the party system as it is, and doing so by focusing on what is without question the greatest concentration of political corruption since the Civil War, we can begin anew, without constraint of the current system, or its proven methods of appeals, like guilt by association.
Zendog:
To some extent,you are correct. Goodwyn carefully documents (as well done by intelligent reviewers of his book) how the "Silver" issue was first foisted onto the Populist Movement, then William Jennings Bryian was foisted on the Populist Movement as the candidate for President for it to support, then the Democratic party took over the Silver Issue as against the Eastern Establishment and lost the election.
The "Really Big Problem" we all face is that the Republicratic Pary will win no matter which candidate wins the 2012 election. What's your alternative to obtaining 270 votes from the Electoral College? Sit on our hands and yell? Your disagreement is with a noted author who has studied the Progressive Movement far longer and in greater depth that you and I combined.
Before you posted your comment, did you even read the summary offered by Goodwyn and the reviews published on Amazon. If not, please read them and then tell me why you think the General Assembly could possibly be mislead by RadCon minions?
Jim Miller
I have a confession - I did not review the material you offered. I simply offered my view based on what I have seen of the political system.
I am not familiar with the 'silver' issue, WJBryian, or the specific election in question.
It is simply my opinion that it will be far easier to subvert the establishments that exist, rather than create new ones. Just look at the havoc the tea party candidates posed to Congress in the last budget debate. A small number of OWS candidates can do just what the tea party repelicans did do in terms of holding the rest of their party in thrall.
This has the advantage that,[in the case of the tea party] since they are all repelican, tarring one in a sense tars all. They cannot be assailed on the basis of ideology unless one attacks the party itself.
This is not so with a new party. A new party is more susceptible to shifts in perception because there is no associated commitment - no figure head or person of stature that the public - or a portion of it - identifies with.
As I have pointed out elsewhere, the repelican party is vulnerable, and in decline, all on the basis of their previous lies. They are assailable - individually and as a whole.
With sufficient numbers of candidates elected to Congress, we can reshape both the policy and the dialog around it. We won't need a majority or anything like it.
Some may cling to our coat tails. Let them. They will show us the ropes, while we show them the strings.
In this way perhaps the needed transitions - the placement of curbs to corruption - can take place without undue disruption to the public.
I realize the value of the "leaderless" movement and the lack of specific demands. That approach blunts the attack by the Radcons.To achieve the fourth power element, we must have competent and ethical candidates. We must use the 'Net to attack the Radcon candidates. We must launch the "Boycott the Bastards" campaign. http://thedragonsteeth.wetpaint.com/page/BOYCOTT+THE+BASTARDS
We must organize even if the collective looses some of its flatness. Leadership by the Masses should always remain in the General Assembly, but we need to raise money to support good, ethical candidates, so we need a treasury and ways of raising money using ethical means. Jim Miller