We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Why Activists Fail. The Importance of Telling the Truth

Click here to access article by Robert J. Burrowes from Global Research

I debated long and hard about posting this article because it argues for "non-violence" as a principle to guide any activity opposed to the "global elite managers", his description of the capitalist ruling classes throughout the world. But because the first third of the article (down to "So why does all of the above happen?") accurately describes the world, I've decided to post it. The rest of it is a pitch for non-violence.
In the above three sections, I explained the importance of a sound analysis, strategic focus and an appropriate timeframe as well as the importance of telling the truth, in developing and implementing an effective nonviolent strategy. 
But I don't see any strategy of a social nature. He does advocate that we abide by individual pledges (which are all in bold print) to avoid behaviors that contribution to pollution, boycotting banks which supply loans to polluting corporations, and avoiding following news from mainstream sources. He does throw in references to other strategies, but these appear also to promote the principle of non-violence and obligatory references to Gandhi. But that's all! This argument is neatly wrapped up in a startling package he calls "truth"!

I'm always suspicious when someone advocates non-violence in the context of revolutionary change. Ruling classes always make sure that they have sufficient means of violence to put down any opposition. Likewise they have never hesitated to use violence against their adversaries. So, we must expect violence from them, and we need to protect ourselves. If this is not a sufficient reason to meet your objections, read my counter-arguments to this principle of non-violence in the commentary of my post entitled "On Contact: Extinction Rebellion". Then when he emphasized an individually oriented strategy, my hackles of suspicion rose even more.

So, I recommend reading the first part in which he gives a summary of history of the development of ruling classes, a very apt description of our present state of geopolitical affairs, and his endorsement of Giants: The Global Elite.