Political Science 390: Occupy Everywhere

[Ivan Seeking]

Roosevelt University To Offer Course On Occupy Movement

...Students taking the course will review literature, essays and articles about the Occupy movement, as well as additional research on democracy and economic inequality. Students will also conduct original research on elements of the Occupy movement...

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/06/roosevelt-university-to-offer-course-on-occupy-movement/

The movement moves into the next phase - official recognition.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

They really ought to get organized, start a political party, and run people for office.

 

[russ_watters]

The movement moves into the next phase - official recognition.

What does "official recognition" mean?

 

[Pythagorean]

They really ought to get organized, start a political party, and run people for office.

That would be interesting to see play out.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

They really ought to get organized, start a political party, and run people for office.

That would be interesting to see play out.

I'd hazard a guess that this wouldn't work because the occupy movement is made up of many different groups with many different agendas that happen to share on a few vague common points like not liking wealth disparity, not liking the state of the economy and liking occupying places. Trying to pull together a political party out of that would be very hard, how on Earth could they create a workable manifesto under the guise of a few shared ideals? How will they decide energy, foreign, science etc policy? How would they even decide what social and economic steps would lead to achieving their goals? Some might just advocate tougher regulation of private enterprise with more taxes (e.g. social responsibility audits and financial transaction taxes) but others would argue for a full confiscating of private property and the installation of a near communist state. Others would argue for no state and how you build a viable political party out of anarchists I have no idea.

 

[turbo]

It is tough to imagine how such a movement might coalesce into a party, but I'd guess it would be far to the left of Obama. Obama is so far to the right of most of the progressives that it's silly - still, he has to resort to recess appointments to get non-controversial nominees in position.

 

[daveb]

I'd venture that http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html group already holds some of the major ideas of the movement.

 

[WhoWee]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/06/roosevelt-university-to-offer-course-on-occupy-movement/

The movement moves into the next phase - official recognition.

From your link. my bold

"Students taking the course will review literature, essays and articles about the Occupy movement, as well as additional research on democracy and economic inequality. Students will also conduct original research on elements of the Occupy movement."

I guess they'll study newsreports, police reports, and blogs?

 

[Pengwuino]

I'd hazard a guess that this wouldn't work because the occupy movement is made up of many different groups with many different agendas that happen to share on a few vague common points like not liking wealth disparity, not liking the state of the economy and liking occupying places. Trying to pull together a political party out of that would be very hard, how on Earth could they create a workable manifesto under the guise of a few shared ideals? How will they decide energy, foreign, science etc policy? How would they even decide what social and economic steps would lead to achieving their goals? Some might just advocate tougher regulation of private enterprise with more taxes (e.g. social responsibility audits and financial transaction taxes) but others would argue for a full confiscating of private property and the installation of a near communist state. Others would argue for no state and how you build a viable political party out of anarchists I have no idea.

I think the Occupy has a few things going for it that would allow it an easier chance of being a legitimate party. They definitely don't have a clear message or theme, but they do have massive amounts of public recognition and the ability to mobilize sizable numbers of activists, and are probably in-tune with the 'digital era' more so than most other organizations. If they can pull together a clear message and distances itself from the more extreme viewpoints and actions that developed over the last year, it could help create a legitimate 3rd party.

I have my doubts though unless they can move away from "Wall Street evil!" because in the end, I don't think that kind of talk is capable of getting people off their butts and into the polling place.

 

[WhoWee]

I think the Occupy has a few things going for it that would allow it an easier chance of being a legitimate party. They definitely don't have a clear message or theme, but they do have massive amounts of public recognition and the ability to mobilize sizable numbers of activists, and are probably in-tune with the 'digital era' more so than most other organizations. If they can pull together a clear message and distances itself from the more extreme viewpoints and actions that developed over the last year, it could help create a legitimate 3rd party.

I have my doubts though unless they can move away from "Wall Street evil!" because in the end, I don't think that kind of talk is capable of getting people off their butts and into the polling place.

Who knows - before the summer is over they might decide to rally behind Ron Paul?

 

[Bobbywhy]

Forming a political party to represent the “Occupy Movement” is a distinct possibility in the future. Before that can happen consensus among the participants over “demands” must be found, organized, and publicized. Below are four examples of just that…Manifestos. These documents reminds one of Martin Luther protesting against Papal policy. These are NOT the most recent documents, but they represent one essential element in the process of bringing about change in a participatory democracy.

This was unanimously voted on by all members of Occupy Wall Street last night, around 8pm, Sept 29, 2011:
http://www.selectsmart.com/DISCUSS/read.php?16,859709

Reuters Breakingviews
A Manifesto for Wall Street Protesters
Published: October 6, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/business/a-manifesto-for-wall-street-protesters.html

A manifesto for the Occupy movement
Editorial
The Times attempts to pair the ideals and impulses that have powered the Occupy movement with some practical changes in public policy worth fighting for.
December 04, 2011
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/04/opinion/la-ed-manifesto-20111204

PICKET: Occupy Wall Street protesters post manifesto of 'demands'
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog...-occupy-wall-street-protesters-post-manifest/

 

[mege]

Columbia already tried to offer a OWS class... and it got cancelled.

Maybe it was nixed because of lack of focus and a lot of shouting?

 

[Ryan_m_b]

Moderation notice: The topic of this thread is very clear, how it managed to be derailed so successfully by personal proposals of linking taxes to the right to vote I have no idea. Let's keep it on topic ok?

 

[Pythagorean]

I've always thought this was the common complaint of the occupy movement (corporate interests in washington, abusing public service and money):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M5IeYt-JxA&list=PL6D7EF63D437FA957&index=7&feature=plcp

 

[phoenix:\\]

I hated the occupy movement. Didn't solve anything, just added more angst to a stressful situation. I just ignored most of it and even though friends wanted to go do similar occupy movements in my state (they did), I opted out because it was a waste of time.

I dunno, but aren't they adding more insults to the liberal arts arena than taking away from it?Seriously, a course on the occupy movement in terms of literature? I giggled when I was reading it.

 

[shashankac655]

In China it is "Occupy toilets" and it is spreading to other countries it seems.

“We want governments around the world to pay attention to this issue,” said Tingting. “It is a a big issue for women that has never been properly addressed. Not anymore. We will occupy men’s toilets around the world!”

Reports are coming in from around the globe – women are taking over men’s restrooms and men are being forced to pee outside in the woods or streets. “Doesn’t matter to me,” said Jeb Martin of Omaha. ”I’ll pee anywhere.”

So men will have to "get everything done" at home before they leave to work.

 

[ThomasT]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/06/roosevelt-university-to-offer-course-on-occupy-movement/

The movement moves into the next phase - official recognition.

Edwards said he got the idea for the class after observing the ongoing debate in political science circles about the effect that economic inequality is having on democracy in America.

It seems to me that it would be difficult to reasonably argue that economic inequality is having any effect on whether or not people choose to vote. Maybe in some feely meely psychological way. But, let's face it, almost half the eligible voting public doesn't even bother to vote in lots of national elections. Voting is free. If they want to change things, then they should vote ... just not for Republicans or Democrats, imho. Because, as far as I know, that's the only way that the sorts of progressive changes that the Occupy Movement supposedly advocates will happen.

 

[Bobbywhy]

ThomasT: I whole-heartedly agree with your post above: If we Americans would vote we could indeed bring changes. And if the Occupy Movement would organize a "get out the vote" campaign they (we) would reap some of the positive changes they espouse.