"'Effective Evil' or Progressives’ Best Hope?" Democracy NOW! Debate

[Dunk]

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/9/7/effective_evil_or_progressives_best_hope


As President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination to seek four more years in the White House, we host a debate on his presidency with Glen Ford of Black Agenda Report and Michael Eric Dyson, professor at Georgetown University and author of numerous books. Ford calls Obama the "more effective evil" for embracing right-wing policies and neutralizing effective opposition, while Dyson argues Obama provides the best and obvious choice for progressive change within the confines of the U.S. political system.A debate of genuine substance. The relationship between the left and left-liberals, and the complicated approach of pro-revolutionaries to liberal democratic electoral politics.

EDIT: I realize Glen Ford isn't exactly pro-revolutionary - in the sense that he seemingly holds the rule of law, or if not the rule of law then international law in high esteem, but the overwhelming bulk of the debate is the same that is held between left-libs and pro-revs

[Jimmie Higgins]

Dyson: (essentially) "you have to be realistic, Obama is the best we can hope for". Wow, never heard lesser-evilism expressed so well - Lol. It really shows the weakness in support for Obama right now.

This "sense of the realistic" is why real oppositional movements are so important in shifting consciousness - even when they may have mixed or initially limited outlook and aims. Occupy when it was able to rally popular discontent was a small example of where what is impossible (according to the mainstream it would be 'unrealistic' to argue against austerity and point the finger at the rich prior to occupy).

Having good arguments and information about the system is, of course, important, but it will be when millions of workers see from actions by other workers and organizers that it is possible to fight in your own class interests and win more than what the ruling ideology would ever admit is possible that we will probably see a broader radicalization in society.