One of the main issues I have with the left is the fact that, in the last three decades, weve remained reactive. In the late 19th and early 20th century we were dreamers, but now (with the exception of individual social issues) the left is too pessimistic - our main job seems to be to complain about what the right is doing. Idealistic dreaming is left to the opposition: the left focus on dystopia, whilst the right set about creating their own neoliberal utopia. Nowhere is this more apparent than world politics. Even until the 1970s, the left controlled the narrative around global unity. Internationalism was an important goal of liberals, socialists, and anarchists across the west. As idealism died out the initiative was seized by the right, and internationalism became globalisation. The left generally fear international institutions and movements, and too often retreat into nationalism (especially in Europe). My point is this: we complain a lot, us lefties, especially on Facebook. But what do you believe in? What does your ideal world look like? Share it! We need to start dreaming again, because whoever narrates the future has already won.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 11:28:11 +0000
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