There’s political analysis and there’s political analysis. Assuming you don’t blame them for protesting without a degree in political science or sociology (or a union membership card), what you can fault them for is wilful ignorance (a la the tea baggers). But such is not the case. They are willing to learn about the economic system, the Fed, how to counter Ron Paulites, and so on, from Stiglitz or you. That is political analysis, is it not? I am sure they would be equally happy to hear someone educate them on political theories or ethical systems or what have you.
On top of that, should they need to be aware of, acknowledge and act upon Dean’s blogging about process or how her kind of Leninist revolution would work, or Foucault theorists ideas about college, so on?
—ravi