This is important and clear.
Listen to Naomi Klein talk about how she squares her work in
Shock Doctrine, and
No Logo with Trump. And her new book
No is not Enough. Klein's calm analytic presentation is indispensable at a time of so many shrill voices in media.
Speaking of the current rise of Trump and Le Pen and neofascist populism:
There is no doubt that the far right is entering into a vacuum left by neoliberal centrism and liberalism.
But this she notes is not new and nobody with their eyes open should be surprised. Klein provides some history, putting the current crisis in context of resistance to neoliberalism in the 90's
It is worth remembering that not so long ago, there was a very large, progressive, committedly internationalist movement that was taking on the whole logic of what was called "free trade" or "globalization" or "corporate globalization." We called it "corporate rule" for the most part, because the problem was not trade, it was the writing of rules for the global economy in the interests of a small group of powerful corporations. Forget hollow brands. The center of that fight was about the hollowing out of democracy. Yes, sure, you can still vote, but the most important decisions about your life are being outsourced to institutions over which you have no control.
Even when the ideological project of neoliberalism is sort of in tatters on the floor, the idea that there is no alternative remains.
Klein provides many examples of trends among progressive groups that are expanding their vision to internationalism and diversity pointing out that this has been lacking in the past. I would point out that it is not true that progressives have not from the beginning articulated political platforms. That they were infrequent, incomplete or not inclusive is true, The
Leap Manifesto in Canada is is given as an example of a truly progressive platform, that is internationalist, diverse and inclusive. I highly recommend a read. Her conclusion is that we need a shared platform not celebrity candidates to save us.
If you are interested I have provided a link to the
Port of Huron Statement by Tom Hayden and the SDS written in 1962. Below is a little excerpt:
In a participatory democracy, the political life would be based in several root principles: That decision-making of basic social consequence be carried on by public groupings;
That politics be seen positively, as the art of collectively creating an acceptable pattern of social relations;
That politics has the function of bringing people out of isolation and into community, Thus being a necessary, though not sufficient, means of finding meaning in personal life;
That the political order should serve to clarify problems in a way instrumental to their solution; it should provide outlets for the expression of personal grievance and aspiration;
Opposing views should be organized so as to illuminate choices and facilitate the attainment of goals;
Channels should be commonly available to relate men to knowledge and to power so that private problems--from bad recreation facilities to personal alienation--are formulated as general issues.
The economic sphere would have as its basis the principles:
That work should involve incentives worthier than money or survival. It should be educative, not stultifying; creative, not mechanical;
Self directed, not manipulated, encouraging independence, a respect for others, a sense of dignity, and a willingness to accept social responsibility, since it is this experience that has crucial influence on habits, perceptions and individual ethics;
That the economic experience is so personally decisive that the individual must share in its full determination;
That the economy itself is of such social importance that its major resources and means of production should be open to democratic participation and subject to democratic social regulation.
