A lesson from the Green Party
A report published in Counterpunch on the Green Party's Tulsa convention demonstrates the continuing problems that the Green Party is facing from those within that party who would sabotage its mission and purpose as a viable third party. The efforts by the Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI), spearheaded by Peter Camejo, both to democratize the party and to take it away from the self-destructive direction that Cobb's faction took the party last year, seem to be failing. Those in the party's right, who support lesser-evilism, who support the Democratic Party, and who align themselves with the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) seem to have the upper hand. The tragic direction that the Greens are taking should serve as a valuable lesson for anyone who is involved in trying to build an alternative political party.
The Greens had a chance of succeeding. Unfortunately, when push came to shove, many in the party blinked. The only way to build a viable alternative party is by being committed fully towards that party, and not subscribing to the poison of lesser evilism. The Greens failed this test miserably last year when they nominated Cobb for President, whose "safe states" strategy was a clear example of lesser evilism at its worst. Potential converts to that party who now vote for Democrats can only ask themselves why they should change their allegiance when many activists within the Green Party themselves continue to support Democrats. Many of those in the Green Party who supported lesser evilism last year and supported Kerry may claim that they are still committed to building their party. But the odds against third parties are immense, the duopoly is too committed to crushing interlopers, and a party cannot succeed against the duopoly unless its membership is fully committed to that party and to challenging the duopoly 100%.
As things currently stand, the future of the Green Party seems questionable. Other political parties who seek to challenge the duopoly should take heed, and learn from what the Greens are doing to themselves.
The Greens had a chance of succeeding. Unfortunately, when push came to shove, many in the party blinked. The only way to build a viable alternative party is by being committed fully towards that party, and not subscribing to the poison of lesser evilism. The Greens failed this test miserably last year when they nominated Cobb for President, whose "safe states" strategy was a clear example of lesser evilism at its worst. Potential converts to that party who now vote for Democrats can only ask themselves why they should change their allegiance when many activists within the Green Party themselves continue to support Democrats. Many of those in the Green Party who supported lesser evilism last year and supported Kerry may claim that they are still committed to building their party. But the odds against third parties are immense, the duopoly is too committed to crushing interlopers, and a party cannot succeed against the duopoly unless its membership is fully committed to that party and to challenging the duopoly 100%.
As things currently stand, the future of the Green Party seems questionable. Other political parties who seek to challenge the duopoly should take heed, and learn from what the Greens are doing to themselves.
Excellent analysis. The only purpose of a political party is to run candidates. If Greens vote for candidates outside the party, they should leave the party, period.
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