>
> [WS:] I think that the progressive has a much
> better chance of success by building progressiv
> eenclaves, or even states and writing off those areas
> that are generally hostile to progressive politics.
> There are many reasons for that, but my favorite is
> the "demonstration effect." Once you establish a
> progressive jurisdictions with all the benefits of
> progressive institutions clearly visible for all to
> see, this will create pressure for either (i) other
> jurisdirctions to implement similar measures, or (ii)
> people in those other jursdictions to vote with their
> feet if such measures are not implemented.
There may be particulars to US federalism and state politics that make this strategy viable. Yet in Canada it has been the strategy of the social democrats to concentrate nearly all efforts and resources to locales where they already have lots of support. It has meant an abandonment of all progressives outside those enclaves and ultimately a diminishing base. So even though the South might not be a bastion of progressives there are progressives in the South that should not be abandoned.