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Michael Albert's Blog

Web Address: http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/malbert
Bio: Michael Albert is a founder and current member of the staff of Z Magazine as well as staff of Z Magazine`s web system: ZCom (www.zmag.org). Albert`s radicalization occurred during the 1960s. His po... (More)

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The Election

By Michael Albert at Mar 11, 2004

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Many people seem to think that what candidates say bears dramatically on what they will do. That is only superficially the case unless they make public promises to constituencies that remain powerful during the ensuing administration and to which the candidate/office holder remains beholden. Kerry is a political agent of the ruling sectors of our society, intent on maintaining the basic defining relations and, within that guideline, enlarging the advantages of those at the top. I know that by virtue of Kerry's position in the institutions of our society, not by virtue of what he says. I also know by way of an understanding of our institutions and the constituencies involved, that Kerry won't become president unless there is wide opposition to the Bush agenda, reaching even into the elites who actually rule our society -- so that if Kerry wins we can reasonably predict better subsequent outcomes than if Bush wins, supposing we can keep the pressure up. This is even without taking into account the psychological impact of the race and results around the world. The gap between a Kerry administration and the Bush administration isn't a chasm regarding international relations, but small differences can be very important, particularly if here is widespread opposition. The gap is much larger, I think it is clear, regarding domestic changes. I can understand people feeling as some do that one should no compulsion to vote for Kerry even in contested states -- but I do not think it is correct, nor do I think, even, that the rejectionist stance is somehow more radical in its comprehension. On the contrary, it often seems to me that many of those who say they aren't going to vote for Kerry are showing barely more political comprehension than those who are voting for him and believe he is some kind of good guy. Both are looking at his words, it seems to me, not at the constellation of forces and structures involved. All this said, I can't for the life of me understand -- I never can -- why serious leftists think that what they do regarding the election and in particular the vote, is so consequential to who will win it that they ought to be worrying greatly over it, spending lots of time debating it, etc. The place where our activity matters is in building social movements to pressure whoever wins this election, not impacting who wins it. We are the main factor regarding the former. We are a tenth order factor regarding the latter. I hope Kerry wins. Fervently. But I will not campaign for him. He doesn't need and probably wouldn't gain an iota by virtue of my doing so. And certainly my time is better put to trying to provide information and otherwise help build the continued growth of opposition that will confront either Kerry or Bush. If someone asks me or I get drawn into a discussion about voting Bush or voting Kerry, I would of course say that I hope people do the latter, and that doing the former is despicable -- but I would also make clear that doing the latter isn't much to write home about, morally, unless one also works to impact the policies that will ensue after the election.

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