7 comments on EuroElections 2009 : PES
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7 comments on EuroElections 2009 : PES
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I've been tracking the responses of political parties to peak oil, etc. and what you describe, Luis, sounds normal. The socialist positions sound more or less like the liberal Democrats in the US, as well as like the parties further to the left.
The only parties that that seem to "get it" are various Green Parties, the Maori Party in New Zealand and the far-right BNP in the UK.
There are a few individual politicians who are aware, such as Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (Republican) in the US and Andrew McNamara (Labour) in Australia.
I've become convinced that the most effective place to advocate for better energy policies is outside of the parties, in networked grassroots organizations. Our common interest in energy and sustainability seems much more important than differences in our political parties.
One good place to look for analyses from a socialist perspective is Monthly Review, the independent social review (probably further to the left than the PES).
http://www.monthlyreview.org/080714magdoff.php
http://www.monthlyreview.org/080701foster-clark-york.php
http://www.monthlyreview.org/080707foster.php
Best wishes,
Bart Anderson
Energy Bulletin
Bart,
It not that parties don't "get it" but that it is electoral suicide to tell people they can't have it all and must reduce their standard of living.... Remember the two rules, how do we get elected and how do we get re-elected.
This is why our so called leaders in fact hardly ever lead but follow public opinion. As soon as you have more of the voteriat in favour of something than opposed the politicians will leap aboard the already moving train and claim they have led the charge despite tremendous opposition.
So, line up your networked grassroots organizations and see those politicos jump aboard.
Politicians have implemented policies designed to cut people's standard of living in the past and there's no reason to think they won't do it again.
Some politicians actually tend to implement more liberal policies than the one they've campaigned on.
An examination of the circumstances in which unusually austere policies get implemented may lead you to re-examine your political model.
I think you will find that politicians are able to lead when they understand public opinion is being reshaped.
Leading politicians with grassroots organizations works best when no one (that matters) is pushing back.
The Monthly Review is way, way to the left of the PES actually.