[lbo-talk] Third Party Solutions, was Re: Lieberman

Carrol Cox cbcox at ilstu.edu
Tue Jul 15 19:46:58 PDT 2003


Shane Taylor wrote:
>
> Jon Johanning wrote:
>
>
> FWIW, Carrol wasn't exactly arguing for revolution, but against
> progressive electoral strategies.

Precisely. Everyone can see the hopelessness now of 2d & 3d international strategies, but the same people fail to notice that "progressive electoral strategies" have had even _less_ success over the last century and a half. You get brief periods (usually not more than 3 years from an 8 year administration) of gain (partly real, partly smoke and mirrors), followed by 30 years in which conservative forces slowly and steadily chip away at those gains. The New Deal ended essentially in 1938. The New Society (thanks to Nixon and his fear of the mass movement) lasted until '73 or so. And how much remains of either?

And that I don't have a recipe for a new strategy doesn't make the old and discredited strategies one bit better.

Carrol



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