Democracy Arsenal

« Progressives Anonymous | Main | Kofi Break »

March 28, 2005

Step 1: Don't Blame the Victim
Posted by Heather Hurlburt

OK, tired of finding different groups to blame for Democrats' inability to get over the wall on national security.  Here's my proposal for a ten-step program to get Democrats back on the map:

Step 1.  Don't Blame the Victims (grassroots progressives).  Beinart lost a lot of credibility with me when he published an op-ed blaming the problem on liberal Iowa voters.  It's our job to help them figure out what to think about national security... isn't it? 

Step 2.  Stop caricaturing what both progressives and the general public want in foreign policy.  They think much more sensibly than we give them credit for -- and then don't find candidates who express what they think.

Step 3.  Send all senior-level party functionaries and would-be candidates off to learn something about the fundamentals of foreign policy.  Don't let 'em back until they have.  Oops, that would require...

Step 4.  Create progressive institutions that are focused not on media grandstanding, arguing with other progressives or debating how many Security Council seats can fit on the head of a pin, but actually educating our own and giving them products they can use.

Step 5.  Send all progressive foreign policy experts off to learn something about the country we live in, how our political system works, and how to talk to normal people without condescending, so that they can then populate the institutions created in step 4.

Step 6.  Every progressive takes a personal vow to learn something about our military, how it works, what its ethos is, and how it affects our society at all levels -- as well as what it does well and less well in the wider world.

Step 7.  Reformed policy experts can work on crafting what Suzanne mentioned in her post -- a larger agenda that speaks to the core values and beliefs of our voters, into which we can slot all our favorite policies and programs because the larger concepts would reassure voters that they can trust us.  (Suzanne mentioned several concepts that don't cut it.  Let me add another from the campaign:  "Strengthen core alliances."  I'm a liberal, for heaven's sake, and even I know that alliances are not an end in themselves but a means to do things we want done.)

Step 8.  Said constructs then have to be framed (you knew I'd get to Lakoff eventually) in a way that vaults over the wall of fear and mayhem that our opponents and the media have conspired to construct in regular folks' minds about the world.

Step 9.  Reformed party bigs then concentrate on making this agenda an organic part of an overall progressive agenda, and send out candidates who look credible.

Step 10.  Progressive rank-and-file then has to take a deep breath and get into this.  Then, if it still doesn't work, we can follow Peter Beinart and blame our troubles on those Iowa progressives.  But not before. 

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451c04d69e200d83457f9a269e2

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Step 1: Don't Blame the Victim:

» Foreign Policy Ten Step Program from Saheli*: Musings and Observations
Over at DemocracyArsenal, Heather Hurlburt has a ten-step program. It's a bit convoluted for marching orders, so I'm summarizing it and reframing it a bit more positively. [Read More]

» Democracy Arsenal from Political Animal
DEMOCRACY ARSENAL....On the advice of a friend, I just hopped over to a new blog called Democracy Arsenal, where a bunch of liberals under the aegis of a couple of liberal think tanks are talking about national security issues. It... [Read More]

» Understanding people different from yourself... from DocBug
Understanding people different from yourself. That's supposed to be on the "Blue State" side of the big stereotype slate that's written in somebody's guidebook, isn't it? (You know, the one... [Read More]

» New Blog from ParadigmBlog
Democracy Arsenal-progessive/liberal viewpoints on foreign policy. Here's a kickoff post to get you started. [Read More]

» New Blog from ParadigmBlog
Democracy Arsenal-progessive/liberal viewpoints on foreign policy. Here's a kickoff post to get you started. [Read More]

Comments

*sigh*

I know this blog is new, and maybe you're just using early posts to let people know what you're all about... but I hope you plan on talking about actual foreign policy issues instead of how to use foreign policy issues to promote the democratic party.

The post on Kofi/Kojo is good... this post would be better suited for dailykos.

Active comments are nice... hopefully they can stay. Thanks.

Agree w/ many of these points as well as your WaMo article from a while back, but it's worth stressing that it's high time Dems just started showing rather than telling. All this relentless shirt-rending and forelock tugging serves no valuable purpose and is in fact counterproductive if it becomes the dominant narritive on Dems and foreign policy. Just lead by example and others will follow, as you suggest in #1.

What praktike said. And if you're serious about step #6, suggest you link to sites such as mine that have some serious military discussions other than cheerleading and liberal-bashing.

The military works on an authoritarian system of command and control. Everyone in the service knows their place in the hierarchy, whom to obey and who to command. For the lower ranks it is a welfare system of people who cannot make it on the 'outside,' in the market place economy. For the higher ranks it is a career of establishing contacts with contractors while in the service and then exploiting them for lobbying jobs upon leaving for self enrichment. The military's ethos is obey your commander and make him look good, while doing everything you can to pad your wallet. All of this corruption affects our society quite a bit, including the killing of tens of thousands of innocents while Americans wave their arms in church celebrating the forgiveness of their sins on Easter morning. The military is very good at operating bases all around the globe, teaching foreign military leaders how to torture and and 'disappear' troublesome people. The military has more trouble with its domestic domain, with the lower ranks and their families barely able to make ends meet and lots of domestic violence. My views are not the Democratic party's, but they ought to be. Americans are prompted by platitudes to goose step whenever anyone brings up the military. The military should be reduced to pre WWI levels and the money saved should be spent prosecuting all of the corrupt officers, businesses, and bureaucrats.

Platitude bound Americans, especially the 'moderate' Democrats, believe America must have an overwhelmingly strong military in order to protect the world and America's legacy of super duper power after WWII. They think that an anti-military candidate cannot win over the electorate, changing the political economy of graft and military spending. But it has never been tried as a real platform that mass media has allowed to be communicated. Arsenal is in this category, thinking Americans need to be manipulated with chauvinism and military bullyism in order to win political power. Perhaps he is correct, but someday we have to learn to live without war lordsrunning the country.

Punji: "My views are not the Democratic party's, but they ought to be."

Thank god they're not... Let the education begin, quickly...

I agree with most of the points raised in the main post--and I love the general point, which is developing a vigorous democratic foreign policy. It's very Rovian--in the sense of, attack your opponents' strengths, and if you beat them there, you win.

I would also like to point out that there seems to be an awful lot of foreign policy agreement on national security/foreign policy issues, that doesn't seem to get pointed out all that often. Some examples:

1) Democracy promotion is a good thing. For pete's sake, how did this become Dubya's issue anyway? We're the ones who support human rights, one person, one vote, and all those good things. Yet Dubya is able to strut around like he invented it.

2) Use of the military to stop genocide (Kosovo, Bosnia).

3) The development of international law, especially regarding the conduct of nations (and not free trade, which is a bit thornier)

4) Foreign humanitarian aid is a good thing, not a waste of taxpayer dollars.

5) Foreign military aid is usually a bad thing, and not a prudent investment in security.

And so on.

OK, so I just read the "progressives anonymous" post and I think the last paragraph on "democratic consolidation" hits the nail on the head, and pretty much covers my points 1, 3, and 4, above. Sorry for repeating, however, it does make my point a bit stronger that we have a lot of areas of aggreement to build on.

Stept 4: Check out International Crisis Group: Zbigniew Brzezinski, Wesley Clark, Sen. George Mitchell, Morton Abramowitz, etc.

Their policy recommendations are exactly what Dems should be pushing and are written in clear, accessible language.

Oops, my "Step 4" suggestion (check out ICG) is already covered, you've got a link on the left and a former deputy director as a contributor.

But see?? It was a good suggestion anyway, right?

Great points!
The message you're presenting isn't being stated elsewhere loudly, clearly and succinctly enough, so thanks for doing so!

Please embrace punjis framed view of the military, (I LOVE showing posts like that to G.I.s who vote! Thanks dude!) and make sure that you not only express how you despise us among yourselves, but that you are as public about it as possible. The recent cartoon in the MIT Thistle will do for an example.

"how to talk to normal people without condescending"
Your contempt will inevitably show.

Hey!! I like this forum!!

http://www.7icon.com/ - look at my free collection of beuty and fashion
http://www.7icon.com/
http://www.7icon.com/

go to http://www.7icon.com/

online fashion magazine for men and women

7icon.com

http://03.kfdyenbv8.cn/index5.html
http://09.kfdyenbv8.cn/index8.html
http://02.kfdyenbv8.cn/index4.html
http://02.kfdyenbv8.cn/index6.html
http://01.kfdyenbv8.cn/index2.html
http://05.kfdyenbv8.cn/index1.html
http://02.kfdyenbv8.cn/index6.html
http://01.kfdyenbv8.cn/index7.html
http://01.kfdyenbv8.cn/index10.html
http://04.kfdyenbv8.cn/index8.html

hello, i'm spamilka

www.charmingirl-china.com

THANK for your article.GOOOODlotro goldrunescape gold

I likeghost gold, it brings me many happiness. If you haveghost online gold, you can help others.

I hope i can get aoc gold in low price,
Yesterday i bought conan gold for my friend.

I appriciate him. I prefer the
requiem money in the game. In fact, the
cheap requiem lant is expensive.

I likeghost gold, it brings me many happiness. If you haveghost online gold, you can help others.

Thank you for your sharing.!
seslichat
seslisohbet

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

Dear friend ,we are a trading conpany deal with men’s clothes for many years .we mianly export NFL jersey|NFL jerseys,you can visit our website for more information. Our jerseys were high quality replic.

ghd IV salon styler,ghd purple roll bag.


product features:


Auto sleep mode(A built in safety feature that gives you peace of mind by turning off if the ghd IV styler is left unallended for 30 minutes.)


Universal voltage(So that you can use your styler in any country without an adaptor.)


Advanced ceramic heaters(The ultimate heating technology for the ultimate shine and style creation.)

All our products are cheap,if you want to find cheap ghd,come here and that is right.


If you want to find GHD hair products,you can write GHD straightener,GHD hair straighteners,GHD straightners,GHD hair,straighteners GHD in google browse.

Chanel Handbags are woman’s dream come true.

Chanel, a fashion name that has become synonymous with femininity since 100 years, is on the must-have list of every fashion-conscious woman.? And we bring these must-have Chanel Handbags at never before discounts, just for you.

It is only when you come across an Chanel New Arrivals, do you realize the power of her words.? Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

Chanel handbags have been so popular in the elite classes of the society, that their pricing is usually prohibitive for everyone else.? Discount Chanel handbags are really difficult to come across, but today should be your lucky day.? We bring you a superb unbeatable range of Chanel Flap bags, all at fantastic discounts.? With us, you have an incredible chance to buy your favorite Chanel handbags at rock bottom prices!

Chanel Handbags have always been at the forefront of luxury and style.? The Chanel classic quilted leather handbags and its reinventions have ruled fashion since forever.? Chanel handbags have remained extremely popular as they continue to merge evolving modern trends with the class and simplicity of its original avatar.

An Chanel 2008 Collection and Chanel 2009 Collection single handedly enhances the look you are carrying.? The reason you would buy a Chanel handbag is own a bag that mingles with your charm and intensifies it with its inherent simplicity.? If you have owned an authentic Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t yet gotten a chance to own an Chanel Cambon, now is your chance to shop for an authentic Chanel handbag and discover its ability to transform your look completely.

Buy Chanel handbags with us, and get fabulous discounts which you will never get at your favorite store.? We offer cheap authentic Chanel handbags and they are all up for grabs!

FF14 Gil
Final Fantasy XIV Gil
Buy FFXIV Gil
Cheap FFXIV Gil
Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil
FFXIV Gil
Final Fantasy XIV Gil

en azdırıcı porn videoları,
en güzel porn izleme sitesi,
en muhteşem sex izleme yeri,
en kaliteli anal porno mekanı,
bu sitede en tatlı amatör porno kızları bulunuyor,
en kral sikiş videoları,
en uzun porno videoları,
türk pornoda olay var,
güzel mature pornoları kim izlemek istemez..

Their policy recommendations are exactly what Dems should be pushing and are written in clear, accessible language.

türkiyenin en kaliteleriporno izle bu sitede
sex izleen kaliteli videolar
sikiş
klip izle tek adres denebilir
memur alimihoş bir ilan sitesi

I never comment on blogs, but this one is awesome! Thanks.

Blaming never gets us anywhere. Thanks for sharing your thoughts to address the issue.


aluminum fence south jersey l decks south jersey

I wonder how achievable your suggestions are?

wedding video philadelphia l video production philadelphia

Runescape gold
buy Runescape gold
what Dems should be pushing and are written in clear, accessible language.

The comments to this entry are closed.

Emeritus Contributors
Subscribe
Sign-up to receive a weekly digest of the latest posts from Democracy Arsenal.
Email: 
Powered by TypePad

Disclaimer

The opinions voiced on Democracy Arsenal are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of any other organization or institution with which any author may be affiliated.
Read Terms of Use