[Campaignforrealdemocracy] crd strategy

Tue Oct 27 21:11:43 GMT 2009

Hi Barry & Everyone

Thanks for your email. Please do send through what you feel we need to read;
any pointers on necessary mediatory structures, most welcome. As it happens
this topic came up at a meeting last night..

But first, just to be clear, the CRD strategy mail you've responded to was
primarily about 'real democracy cells'. So, a message to
encourage grassroots campaigners to consider (1) these issues, and (2) the
possibility of a wider alignment. Essentially in their local groups
and communities and, by way of challenge, in response to state-managed (ie
council-run) local fora.

But if this comes to fruition, mediatory structures (by which I am guessing
you mean the nature of our constitution as a campaigning group) will,
presumably, become more important? But for now, at such an early day? At
this point, I'm just thinking: er, let's just get a leaflet about real
democratic decision making and the need to form local cells sorted, and
then (a) do it in our local communities (b) spread the word to others of
like radical mind and (c) see what response we get.

That said, as you know, I do think a discussion about structures is
important.

And it seems to me that this breaks down into two strands, both of which
need to take place in my opinion on the Project 2012 list so that the CRD
list can remain low traffic and centre solely on the real democracy
campaigning side of things.

1st, and  most closely related to the CRD strategy is *the question of our
own organisational constitution*, which is I think the one you raise.
Personally I would welcome this conversation, but let's use Project 2012
where posting is free and easy.

2nd, is *the idea of developing a programme of ideas* about structures
around which we can realistically visualise a just, democratic world
operating. While not the same as (and no substitute for) getting organised
in our local neighbourhoods, such a programme could be used in a variety of
useful ways. For example as a backdrop to an event (eg some of us are
planning a Real Democracy / Third Sector / Transformation of
Culture event, for Feb 2010) or in press work around some form of direct
action, as was case with the now defunct New Sovereignty blog at the London
G20.  We could, for example, be in need of a set of principles / propaganda
/ or whatever if we did demos at town halls, or the GLA. If we are to build
a strong sense of what we are about in the media establishment that is what
the journalists are looking for or else they will paint us as a bunch of
desparadoes with no political maturity involved in purely gesture
politics. Or indeed, it could eve form an electoral manifesto.

Anyway, following this, last night a discussion ensued about *the idea of us
all writing a grassroots manifesto*. Why not, said Robin.. So with that in
mind I've set up a wiki space for this, here is a place where all the voices
who desire can contribute and maybe make a nice patchwork quilt:
http://crdmanifesto.pbworks.com/

So, in the spirit of Jocelyn's excellent words (which somehow didn't come to
my inbox, but thankfully I found them, by chance when trawling the Project
2012 googlegroup archive) the "..idea of a third force, real democracy,
local community based politics can include a much deeper desire, love
of, *passion
for equalising*" I agree with that sentiment 100%, so let's all get stuck
in..!

All ideas very welcome although there can be no guarantees what will become
of them. Suggest intellect, emotion, history, desire and the unconscious :
whatever works to get people interested, engaged, inspired, let's just tap
into it all?

Mark
2009/10/27 Barry Fineberg <barry at fineberg.co.uk>

>  Hi Mark,
>
> Your strategy resonates but sadly I am confident that without some
> disciplined framework you are poised on the threshold of an unmanageable
> complexity. My response of 08.09.09 offered what I believe to be a naturally
> ordered approach which, however, may need further graphic evidence for its
> better understanding. I shall try to put this together asap.
>
> To recap, I felt that 'natural spatial disciplines----must be brought to
> bear on current disorder'. Your view instead was ' try to push on all doors,
> and trust that truth will always win'. A noble but wholly impracticable
> sentiment I regret to say. The 'doors' are virtually infinite and,
> notwithstanding  common aspirational values, such multiplicity of issues
> will I fear defy coherent, practical coordination in the absence of
> appropriate mediatory structures.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Barry Fineberg.
>
>
> ---- Original Message -----
>
>   *From:* Mark Barrett <marknbarrett at googlemail.com>
> *To:* campaignforrealdemocracy at lists.aktivix.org ;
> project2012 at googlegroups.com
> *Sent:* Monday, October 26, 2009 1:37 PM
> *Subject:* [Campaignforrealdemocracy] crd strategy
>
> Having met with local colleagues yesterday, I want to draw together some of
> what has emerged from picnics, meetings and discussions on lists and
> elsewhere. Do people agree with the tenor of this? If so, I will draw up
> a brief leaflet including these  points for distribution.
>
> The short/medium term aims of CRD are to :
>
> (1) link different individuals and groups working at the local level around
> the concept of real democracy
> (2) promote real democracy as equality via horizontal, inclusive
> consensus-decision making, in groups & starting at the neighbourhood level
> (3) encourage groups to connect for an alternative, democratic society
> locally, nationally and internationally
>
> The strategy (so far identified) to make this happen is  to offer advice /
> support / encouragement / materials to individuals and groups to start CRD
> cells in local boroughs, wards, neighbourhoods (here and ideally
> also abroad).
>
> Presumably by:
>
> (1) connecting with like-minds in local area, whether by advertising for a
> new group or via already organised groups such as Transition Towns, NO2ID,
> LA21, Community Development Network, Housing Co-ops,
> Residents/Tenants Associations, anti-tescos campaigns or other
> (2) focusing on council run meetings operating at the smallest (ie ward or,
> as in my case three ward) level and developing the group as a strategic
> challenge to the non-democratic structure of the council run meetings
> (3) local independent meetings as CRD/ CRD aligned groups
> (4) considering in the medium term the possibility of decentralised
> simultaneous actions - eg militant picnics at town halls - to raise
> awareness, recruit and get positive media coverage..
>
> And at the London/wider level we also have the possibilities of :
>
> (1) taking up the offer of a regular monthly CRD slot at the Peace not War
> sessions at Dalston's Passing Clouds, as a way of sharing info, spreading
> campaign literature and connecting with the wider public
> (2) developing regular CRD meetings and strategic partnerships
> (with members of the 21st Century Network (
> www.meetup.com/21stcenturynetwork see for example meeting on Dec
> 2nd ), the Community Sector Coalition
> http://www.communitysectorcoalition.org.uk/ Peace not War www.peace.fm and
> possibly others such as NCIA, Transition Towns, Climate Camp and others.
> (3) using the web / live streaming / other tech possibilities for
> meetings
> (4) more picnics!
> (5) connecting with other groups nationally and internationally on line to
> see if they would like to join forces under the same banner
>
> What do people think? good, bad, indifferent? are people up for doing it /
> getting involved? any other ideas?
>
> Mark
>
> ------------------------------
>
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>

-- 
"We hear men speaking for us of new laws strong and sweet /Yet is there no
man speaketh as we speak in the street.”
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