(1) Could you please identify what you think are the core defining features and institutions of society that need to be changed i.e. economic, political, cultural, gender/sexual, ecological, etc.?
Economic and political to start with, but that transformation needs to incorporate a gendered, ecological, social and racial justice politics... The process of transformation will shape the outcome and the kinds of new institutions that emerge.
(2) What are your goals for this change, do you seek to reform them, if so with what changes, broadly? Do you seek to fundamentally replace these institutions with some others? If so what do the replacement structures look like, what are their defining features, of course in brief?
It is hard to think about this in the present political moment. I guess I am mainly feeling the need to create the kinds of political spaces where we can really discuss these things and come up with some new ideas. One issue that I find pressing, and confusing, is what is the alternative to capitalism? What role will markets play? What kind of markets? What kind of state? Do we need some new language here?
In the short run, I would sure like to see an alternative to the stultifying two party system.
(3) Who do you think the strategic actors are in achieving these goals i.e. political parties, workers, women, queers, immigrants, particular countries or regions, etc?
Progressive actors and social movements of all kinds -- and again, it would be nice to have a political party that even if imperfect, could help bring movements together to make a larger political force. I think we in the U.S.
have a lot to learn from popular struggles in other places, e.g. the broad but effective left coalitional politics in the Philippines and Latin America.
Challenging patriarchal legacies and currencies is vital....I think feminist process and organizing has a lot to offer the broader left.
(4) What tactics do you see being centrally used in achieving these changes i.e. voting, direct action, media action, strikes, demonstrations, etc.?
It really depends where and when. Generally, success depends on a combination of all of the above, insider and outsider strategies can be mutually beneficial if there is communication and intentionality.
(5) How do other perspectives, which have different ideas about societal change, fit into your strategy and vision?
We need to incorporate more progressive green and EJ thinking into any stategies/dreams of a better future. I think a lot of younger activists in particular are looking for this. I also think we need to come up with a well-articulated Open Borders policy. I recently attended a great strategy session in Canada where we looked seriously at what a progressive open borders policy would look like. We also talked about the need for a more positive political vision, one based on vitality and revitalization. (For example, people should have the right to move freely, but also to stay in their native places and that means revitalizing local economies.)
The left also needs to be involved in debates over the direction of technological research and development. I'm not a techno-optimist, but I do believe cleaner, greener energy sources and technologies are absolutely necessary.
Basically, I think we need to free our imaginations, come together to come up with, excuse the cliche, a "paradigm shift."
IPPS
