Chuck-- you know I side with you on a certain amount of "voluntarism" in organizing as an independent source of left power and success, but to claim that all activism is completely independent of their economic times seems ridiculous and ahistorical, just as its ridiculous to argue they are completely independent of their political context.
To amend Carroll's original formulation, the key to left success has been the convergence of either extended good or bad economic times corresponding to overwhelming Democratic dominance of the national government.
FDR, Great Depression and overwhelming majorities in Congress= New Deal, strong social movements LBJ, Extended good times and overwhelming majorities in Congress= Great Society, strong social movements
contrary wise looking at some other periods:
Coolidge, good economic times and GOP control of Congress= rightwing policies, little social movement Eisenhower, good times and Dem control of Congress= moderately conservative policies, moderate social movements Clinton, good times and GOP control of Congress= moderately conservative policies, moderate social movements
-- Nathan Newman