Changes between Version 8 and Version 9 of ussf_npc_position_paper


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Timestamp:
Nov 29, 2011, 9:43:53 PM (12 years ago)
Author:
Mallory Knodel
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  • ussf_npc_position_paper

    v8 v9  
    1111'' B) What is your organization's political assessment of this current historical moment, and do you see a role for the Social Forum process as a vehicle for supporting stronger social movement building, including grassroots organizing? Please include your assessment of the primary issues our social movement faces externally and internally as well as the most vibrant social movements of this moment (i.e., fronts of struggle). ''
    1212
    13 We see the entire world in obvious forward motion and have always believed that the Internet is proof of this forward motion as a community or movement created by humanity. The economic crisis has bankrupted the social and political structures that run the world and gives humanity an ultimatum to either move forward or face greater crisis. War, blanketing much of the world, has proven completely incapable of improving humanity's life. All the traditional institutions of governance, communications and law have clearly defaulted and many are completely broken.
     13We see the entire world going in an obvious forward motion and have always believed that the Internet is one manifestation of this forward motion; we see the Internet as a community or movement created by humanity. The economic crisis has bankrupted the social and political structures that run the world and has given humanity an ultimatum to either move forward or face greater crisis. War, blanketing much of the world, has proven completely incapable of improving the situation. All traditional institutions of governance, communications, and law have clearly defaulted and many are completely broken.
    1414
    15 The human race is responding through several strategic reactions. At this point, the most visible are many powerful popular demonstrations and "uprising" ("revolutions" in the parlance of the participants). This forest fire of popular movements, reminiscent of the world-wide movement of youth struggle in 1968 - 1970, is an obvious first step in major and potentially tumultuous mass movements challenging the world's structures of power. There are other companion developments -- the axis of progressive governments in Latin America, the Climate Change movement, the world-wide movement of Indigenous peoples -- that precede these popular uprisings and, in the long term, may actually enter into coordination with them.
     15The human race is responding through several strategic reactions. At this point, the most visible are the proliferating popular demonstrations and "uprisings" ("revolutions" in the parlance of the participants). This forest fire of popular movements, reminiscent of the world-wide movement of youth struggle in 1968 - 1970, is an obvious first step in major and potentially tumultuous mass movements challenging the world's structures of power. There are other companion developments -- the axis of progressive governments in Latin America, the Climate Change movement, the world-wide leadership of Indigenous peoples -- that precede these popular uprisings and, in the long term, may actually enter into coordination with them.
    1616
    17 We are in a period when communication among movements is essential and that's why our organization is about.
     17We are in a period when communication among movements is essential and that's what our organization is about.
    1818
    1919'' C) The 2007 and 2010 USSF brought many attendees, some for the first time and others to a more in-depth understanding of what a Social Forum is. As the global economic and ecological crisis deepens, do you see a specific role that the Social Forum process can play (1) within US social movement building; and (2) in relationship to the World Social Forums or other national or international social movement building processes?  How do we then connect in meaningful ways to grassroots struggles inside and outside of the US? ''
    2020
    21 We think the USSF already connects with all kinds of grassroots struggles and we think it already plays the role of "gathering place" for these movements. That's its role: a place to come together periodically with a very strong agenda of interactions. The last USSF was so much more politically developed than the first one that it proves the importance of the Social Forum in this country.
     21We think the USSF already connects with all kinds of grassroots struggles and we think it already plays the role of "gathering place" for these movements. The Social Forum is a place to come together periodically with a very strong agenda of interactions. The last USSF was so much more politically developed than the first one that it proves the importance of the Social Forum in this country.
    2222
    23 Outside the US, the Social Forum should participate in the development of the "border challenge" Social Forum movement -- a movement that refuses to recognize the artificial borders that divide us. 
     23Outside the US, the Social Forum should participate in the development of the "border challenge" Social Forum movement -- a movement that refuses to recognize the artificial borders that divide us.
    2424
    2525'' D) As the nation approaches critical elections in 2012, how can the USSF separate itself from traditional bourgeois understandings of social change (i.e. demands for reform rather than transformation of the exploitative economic system)? How can the USSF process centralize working class struggles, including grassroots democracy, issues of survival, the needs of the many versus the needs of the few? Given all this, what should the Social Forum’s relationship be to the 2012 electoral process? ''
    2626
    27 It should steer clear of all elections. Electoral work, while an acceptable tactic in the eyes of many, is not a unifying concept for the Social Forum movement and, when not place appropriately in the politics of an organization, it can drain resources, raise false expectations and allow the ruling class to define the parameters of the political discourse. That's one of the lessons we can draw from the Obama candidacy/Presidency. People should work around elections; the USSF let people use its lists, etc. But nothing more.
     27We believe that the Social Forum should steer clear of all elections. Electoral work, while an acceptable tactic in the eyes of many, is not a unifying concept for movements and, when not place appropriately in the politics of an organization, it can drain resources, raise false expectations, and allow the ruling class to define the parameters of the political discourse. That's one of the lessons we can draw from the Obama candidacy and current Presidency. People should work around elections, such as the USSF letting campaign groups use its lists, etc., but nothing more.
    2828
    2929'' E) How has your understanding of the role of the National Planning Committee (NPC) changed over time?  What alterations should it undergo as a national planning body for the USSF? What is your understanding of the NPC's relationship to the PMA (Peoples Movement Assembly) process? How can the NPC be a better vehicle to support social movement work? ''
    3030
    31 The NPC should set the dates for the Social Forums, make the arrangements and make sure everything is secure and efficient. That has been its traditional role and should be moving into the proximate future. We believe the PMA is a highly dynamic and significant contribution USSF has made to the movement and that these PMA gatherings are continuing to develop. At this point, the relationship between NPC and the PMA is as it should be -- the former assists, encourages and supports the latter and that is an excellent path to continue to walk.
     31The NPC leads the USSF strategy and should therefore set the dates for the Social Forums, make sure the logistical arrangements are secure and efficient. This has been its traditional role and should be moving towards the proximate future. We believe the PMA is a highly dynamic and significant contribution that the USSF has made to the movement and that PMA gatherings are continuing to develop US-based movements, with the potential to also shape international movements as well. At this point, the relationship between NPC and the PMA is as it should be -- the former assists, encourages and supports the latter. This is an excellent path to continue to walk.
    3232
    33 It is vitally important for the NPC to continue to do only what it's been doing. The structuring and facilitating work NPC does for the Social Forum *is* in fact politically driven and informed. Political discussion around the work we do -- putting on the Social Forum -- is valuable and should be encouraged and enhanced. But no more. The Social Forum in and of itself must be allowed to make the organic and natural contribution it can make by bringing people in struggle together. NPC can't add to that and if it tries to it may mar the productive interactions and environment.
     33It is vitally important for the NPC to continue to do only what it's been doing. The structuring and facilitating work the NPC does for the Social Forum 'is' in fact politically driven and informed. Political discussion around the work we do -- putting on the Social Forum -- is valuable and should be encouraged and enhanced. But no more. The Social Forum in and of itself must be allowed to make the organic and natural contribution it can make by bringing people in struggle together. The planning body of the forum, by the definition of its political role to create space, may mar the productive interactions and environment if it tries to add to the process by doing more.
    3434
    3535'' F) Lastly, the big one...is it time to start a discussion about a 3rd USSF, which would include talks about what should be changed and why? What form might a 3rd USSF take (regional, national), and why? What criteria might we discuss and list to help guide any discussions about if, when, and where? ''
    3636
    37 We believe the next Social Forum should be made up of about four or five regional Social Forums taking place simultaneously. This is the idea put forward by our Co-Director Alfredo Lopez at the last NPC meeting. Three developments encourage us in this direction:
     37We believe the next Social Forum should be made up of about four or five regional Social Forums taking place simultaneously within the US. This is the idea put forward by our Co-Director Alfredo Lopez at the last NPC meeting. Three developments encourage us in this direction:
    3838
    39  * The political situation in this country is acquiring a much more "regional" and "struggle specific" nature. The alignment and cohesion of forces is taking place much more around these magnets than as a national force. There is even a regional nature to the Occupy movement which is one of the most "national" movements around. Additionally, many developments are taking place that challenge the idea of borders and the very idea of a United States. So, is the Southwest a region of the US or part of a regional that reaches across the border and include portions of Mexico?
     39 * The political situation in this country is acquiring a much more "regional" and "struggle-specific" nature. The alignment and cohesion of forces is taking place around these magnets, precluding any kind of larger, national identity for movements. There is even a regional nature to the Occupy movement which is one of the most "national" movements in recent history. Additionally, many developments are taking place that challenge the idea of borders and the very idea of a United States. For example, is the Southwest a region of the US or part of a region that reaches across the border and include portions of Mexico?
    4040
    41  * We don't have the money to put on a national Social Forum. Even if we can raise that million dollars (or probably more now), which appears doubtful, is it worth that effort? To project a national Social Forum and then fail because we can't raise the money would be devastating. OTOH, the announcement of innovative regionally-based events around the country can attract some national funding that can be shared, regional funding (or funding from funders who concentrate on local activity) and individual and organizational fund-raising.
     41 * We don't have the money to put on a national Social Forum. Even if we could raise a few million dollars, many question the real value of this effort. To project a national Social Forum and then fail because we can't raise the money would be devastating. On the other hand, the announcement of innovative regionally-based events around the country can attract some national funding that can be shared, regional funding (or funding from funders who concentrate on local activity), and individual and organizational fund-raising. In any case, localized events are cheaper than national ones and more additive to local organization's capacities in the long term.
    4242
    43  In any case, a localized event is cheaper to do that a national one. Always.
    44 
    45  * We have the technology to do a national convergence of local or regional events. Each region could, for instance, do a full day of local events and then converge, through streaming, for a national event in the evening (or a combination national and regional event). All kinds of combinations are possible including International participation, cross-border participation from South and North, participation by people who can't physically attend any of the Forums. All of this is now possible. Why not use it?
    46 
     43 * We have the technology to do a national convergence of local or regional events. Each region could, for instance, do a full day of local events and then converge, through streaming, for a national event in the evening (or a combination national and regional events). All kinds of combinations are possible including international participation, cross-border participation from South and North, and participation by people who can't physically attend any of the Forums. All of this is now possible. We also believe that this form of remote and local convergences are becoming more common, showing us the future of international movement-building with the use of Internet tools.