[Campaignforrealdemocracy] crd strategy

Wed Oct 28 08:18:35 GMT 2009

i think we should schedule a CRD meeting specifically designed to work on
producing something like an intro flyer, rather than more general
discussion?

j

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 9:11 PM, Mark Barrett
<marknbarrett at googlemail.com>wrote:

> 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.fmand 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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-- 

James Holland
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