Gar Alperovitz: Playing the Long Game

[marmar]

Playing the Long Game

Sunday, 09 November 2014 00:00
By Gar Alperovitz, Truthout | Op-Ed

The 2014 midterms did not change the dominant reality we face - one of substantial ongoing political stalemate and decay - and this sets the terms of reference for those serious about long-term fundamental change.

There have been endless post-mortems on the 2014 midterm elections, complete with explanations proffered as to why Democrats and their allies failed so spectacularly, and projections of doom and gloom lasting until the next election cycle. However, in a profound sense this election changes very little. The dominant reality we face is one of substantial ongoing political stalemate and decay, and this sets the terms of reference for those serious about long term, more fundamental change.

First things first: There is little indication that, even when elected, Democrats employing traditional liberal strategies will have the capacity to change most of the deteriorating or stagnating economic, social, and environmental trends - including, among others: rising inequality, high levels of poverty and child poverty, continued discrimination against women and minorities, declining corporate taxation, staggering levels of incarceration, increasing corruption of the political system and a rapidly changing climate.

Nonetheless, holding the line nationally and in state legislatures whenever possible is an obvious necessity. Progressive "victories" will likely most often be limited to resisting Republican efforts to roll back the limited successes of the Obama era - including Obamacare and financial reform - and protecting important Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance from further attack.

......(snip)......

In a sense, however, even this is still mainly about modest efforts around the long decaying trends. In a much larger sense, it is clear that we no longer face a political problem that can be solved by electing the right people in the next local, state or national election. The deeper trends indicate that we face systemic problems - problems that can be solved only by building a movement that embraces a long-term vision of alternative systemic arrangements in addition to achievable short-term goals. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/27305-playing-the-long-game