"Occupy Toronto" Part of the Democratic Renaissance?
The Democratic Renaissance Springs Forth into its Second Year
A New Era of Enlightenment Emerges
Eyes have been opened. Minds have been freed.
At the time of its publication in the summer of 2010, who could have imagined that the Direct Democracy Ireland manifesto, with its foreshadowing of a Democratic Renaissance, would be the first document of its kind to accurately describe a political and intellectual movement yet to attain substance and form; an aspiration that resided solely in the hearts and minds of millions around the world, brought closer together through technology and social media; an audacity to dream a little dream of freedom, dignity and hope everywhere, emboldened by the unshakable belief that a life of endless political and personal freedom, coupled with economic prosperity, is possible.
This movement, first described in the media as the Arab Spring, has only grown since its unleashing in the fall of 2010.
Though the winds of change began to be felt in North Africa and the Middle East, the Arab Spring has blown into a whirlwind of revolution: Tunisia is free, Gaddafi is gone in Libya, the regime of Bashar - Al Assad is crumbling, and Egypt is slowly crawling toward a democratic denouement.
Be it prescient or just happenstance, the recognition of a Democratic Renaissance here in the West has today come to fruition, not only in the Republic of Ireland, but across Continental Europe and North America. People are involved and demanding a greater say, their inspiration those who have thrown off the shackles of political repression and fear—the foundation of totalitarianism and oppression; tens of thousands have gathered in city squares from Athens to London.
But the Democratic Renaissance has brought with it much more than just new voices of political freedom: it has once again sent the individual down a new path of empowerment and intellectual enlightenment, a path filled with new perspectives and new ideas of a future within the grasp of men and women everywhere, grounded in the ideas of reason, logic and common sense; a path that markedly resembles one the human race abandoned long ago in favour of war, ideology and consumerism ...
the Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries took place in a time similar to ours. The world was torn by wars of religion, by imperial and economic conquest. Persecution and witch-hunts were widespread. Looking closely at the activities of today’s activists, one might be surprised to note the similarity both of tactics and the intended outcome of such confrontation: political and intellectual assassination without just cause or trial.
Now, as then, the call for more democracy and freedom has also unleashed a set of circumstances and events showing the world to be little changed from the past, when Europe itself was ruled by the heavy hand of the aristocracy and priestly enslavers. Even though we in the West have rid ourselves of private armies, mercenaries and countless wealthy overlords, there are those still struggling for their freedom in the Middle East and North Africa.
Yet, as recent history has shown, humanity tends to move in the direction of less rather than more freedom, a world of shackles rather than a world in which people live in the full light of liberty and reasoned intellectual understanding. Really, how different is our world from that of our ancestors who struggled to free themselves from oppression and the tyranny of a ruling elite? Now, as then, do not the elite see the rest of us who dwell in rural prefectures, bankrupt suburbs and urban slums with indifference and contempt?
Certainly the West has come a long way from feudal landlords and debtor prisons. But has the individual really gained any more power since the final days of revolution in the 18th century? We may be more prosperous, we may have more stuff, but are we really any more free?
People in the West continue to face soft tyranny and systemic oppression, even now.
Are today’s bankers any different than the lords and barons who ruled in centuries past? Back then, we were at the mercy and reliant upon the generosity of an elite class for our livelihoods and future prosperity. Today, can anyone get anywhere without a loan or a mortgage that must be repaid with the price of interest, doubling and some times even tripling the final price of your home or car? And what is the difference between being required to adhere to a dogmatic religious code of conduct and the need to be politically correct to gain entry into a good paying job?
The major themes of the Enlightenment are kindred spirits with the zeitgeist today. As professor Paul Brain, Washington State University writes, “Like then, individualism, freedom and change replaced community, authority and tradition as core European values.”
And the similarities do not end there. As in the Renaissance, we are today coping with the end of one way of thinking and the emergence of new avenues of introspection. Just as the influence and importance of the church was on the wane then, science as a vehicle capable of providing future intellectual growth and economical, technological progress is today grinding gears and losing traction.
Today’s science is not that of the 17th and 18th centuries when the Renaissance exploded through this magnificent and powerful tool of investigation to enlighten people. We are now faced with boundaries and limitations that were not even conceived of then. John Horgan’s The End of Science is probably the best description of just how daunting—and possibly insurmountable—are the obstacles that now face those searching for tomorrow’s answers to today’s questions.
If we were to truly take an unbiased look as the Western world today, we would find a civilization in decay; its economic structures crumbling; a people politically lost; an economy teetering on the edge. Worse, we are intellectually a fragmented and disjointed people driven by irrational fears and beliefs that stifle lasting economic, political and individual prosperity.
Perhaps it is fitting, then, that the world should find itself in the throes of rebellion and revolution.
For us in the West, the Arab Spring has become a Democratic Renaissance. It has brought forth an entirely new realm of political possibility and individual enlightenment.
Truly, it can only be a matter of time before this energy and enthusiasm that fills the streets will find its way into other avenues of intellectual investigation and enlightened activity, exemplified by art, literature and philosophy.
The following six essays will attempt to describe some of the intellectual possibilities emerging in this New Era of Enlightenment, as well as discuss both the opportunities and obstacles facing the Democratic Renaissance as it moves into its second year.
Reprinted here with permission.
www.directdemocracyireland.org
Coming next:
Part II
The Democratic Renaissance and its Meaning
From Cairo and Athens to Dublin, A New Political/Intellectual Enlightenment Defined
http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/enlightenment.html
Bob Rae At Occupy Toronto (and vid)
http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/brightcovevideo/161137
"There's huge insecurity out there right now and a lot of frustration that banks got bailed out very quickly but others don't get bailed out so quickly.."
And that our 'representatives' go along with this and other things, like support for Zionist crimes in Palestine and warmaking and killing Libyans and Afghans and lots of other things too Bobby boy...
NDP MP Olivia Chow Weighs In..
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111015/111015_Occupy/2011...
Olivia says same as Bobby Rae basically
Bob Rae? ew.
Bob Rae and his liberals are part of the enablers for corporate rule! Bob Rae is such a hypercrit - egads!
Look at all these lefties having an orgasm, it's just a fucking protest.. Calm down.
Bye, friend. Thanks for the memories.
I was there for a few hours yesterday in the miserable damp rain. It was very inspiring to see lots of people I know, and to see folks getting ready to stay there for a while. Various areas were being set up; a library, a medic tent. Food had been donated.
There was an unofficial babble corner when I ran into radiorahim, oldgoat and Matt Adams and Meagan Perry (rabble staffers). I saw Polunatic from afar.
I heard the rumours about Bob Rae being around but I didn't see him. I think the reason he was there was because St. James Park is in his riding. He surely wasn't there because of any solidarity reasons. Sheesh.
Great to see all you people there. Papal Bull also showed up. He's in TO for reading week. Got to chat with Derrick O'Keefe who was in from Van for a while. Meagan got an interview with Rae for rabble.
Actually, most people wouln't have gotten to see Rae as he didn't stray more than 5 feet from the big media vans parked up at the north end of the park.
I was also there, and I probably saw a few of you (I can't be sure, as I only know Aristotled24 to speak to). I also saw John Turmel, aka KingofthePaupers.
well I couldn't get down because of a previous mtg commitment but I'm in TO in the next couple of weeks so I will most definitely stop by. Rae I suppose didn't want to miss an interview - lol.
"Hypercrit" I love that.
Niether one really gets it. Or, if they do, they don't give voice to the fact that this whole thing is an indictment of political parties as agents of change, and that people view legislators as one of the biggest parts of the problem.
I wish protesters the best and support the ideals for which they are protesting, but if what they're doing now is all they intend to do, they'll be forgotten days after they go home. I'd be really interested to hear from the occupiers what they are going to do beyond demonstrating.
Why do you assume that anyone's going home before things change?
Toronto Star: Chantal Hebert: Want real change? Hit the ballot box instead of the street
Chantal Hebert misses the point. The electoral system doesn't work for most Canadians, let's say, around 99% of them.
Um, nope. The very nature of electoral politics is that whoever satisfies the status quo wins.
Then she says this.....
Followed by this....
Get your arguments straight, eh? Yeah we know parties cater to big businesses and corporations. Who have something better than a vote, they have money and influence.
And corporate Canada and "big labour" carry the same political weight do they? Fucking hell. Damn I hate Liberals.
It is that. Its nothing people haven't been saying around here for years.
History is littered with protests that have come and gone. In the desperate situation facing so many Americans, I can see it having an impact in the US (unless it is high-jacked by the Democrats, which would please Chantal Hebert to no end, I suppose).
However, my initial question is about what the protesters would see as successful next steps leading toward substantial change. It's not a criticism, just a question.
Obviously not the same by any measure, although their heads are often perceived as forming indentations on the same pillow. And as tough and erroneous a rap as it might be for some to accept, that perception is out there in spades. It can't be entirely ignored anymore that whenever collective action emerges as the necessary response from organized labour, it is an entirely defensive effort geared towards salvaging as much as possible from what already exists. To my mind unions should be countering the relentless strategic moves of corporatism with relentless offensive tactics of their own. Workers everywhere should be bought on board wherever possible, represented by the various bargaining units, and protected if necessary by picket lines. Austerity for the sake of profits, bonuses and casino speculation should be met with persistent and uncompromising expansion drives. The decades old bunker mentality which has been employed many times too often is unfit for the times, because it facilitates the sort of fractured and fragmented terrain that allows corporate shills like Lisa Raitt and Harperites to kick worker's rights in the teeth.
And what's even more frustrating and ironic is that Hebert advocates for electoral reform/PR.
Hebert talks out of both sides of her mouth.
Go down and ask them. In fact, you don't even need to ask, because they're already telling you. They're actually quite clear if you bother to take the time.
I thought this piece by Chris Hedges was well written and worth reading. Is there a message there for the NDP as well?A Movement Too Big to Fail
I heart Chris Hedges.
As for your question, Polunatic, I don't know.
Where was any mention of the OWS protests, and the planned Canadian protest day in the recent Ontario election, by the NDP?
Where has the local Toronto NDP been, before and since the rally on Saturday? City councillors? MPPs? MPs?
.
*crickets*
.
.
*tumbleweeds blowing by*
.
The nicest answer I can conclude is, the message for the NDP is to hope all the protestors go away soon.
What I predict will happen is that the cops will move in at some point when there are no or fewer cameras, and illegally arrest everyone and take down the protest site. And then release them with no charges a day or so later. Maybe there will be a public inquiry. Some cop will get a few days off with pay. Wohoo.
But I'm a crabby activist of 30+ years. I'd love to be proven wrong. There's lots of things we can do.
Meanwhile, I just read on Krystalline Kraus' Facebook page that there's a march at King and Bay at 8am tomorrow. Be there if you can, peeps!
Maysie, one would never know from looking at you that you've been in "the biz" for 30+ years!
I did see some NDP luminaries there on Saturday which was a good thing. I think that lesson is to "be bold", work harder to address the root causes of problems and put forward creative solutions that will capture people's imaginations.
Thanks Polunatic.
My trick is: start young and age well. I'm still working on that second part.
Damn, I missed the luminaries. Story of my life.
Olivia Chow and Andrew Cash were there, and spoke to the crowd. Other NDPers (including myself) were there in individual capacities.
Bob Rae seemingly spoke to the camera crews, and no-one else. Huge surprise there.
Um...what am I? Chopped Liver?
"However, my initial question is about what the protesters would see as successful next steps leading toward substantial change. It's not a criticism, just a question."
I think a lot of people are impatient for something tangible to come of this right away, hence the demand for demands.
The best situation would be for the establishment to start doing some things and asking, "there, will that make you go away?" With no one going away until substantial change is met.
It's a not a protest about demands as yet. First, it was a protest to show that people who are hurting, people who are offended by the events of the last few years are not alone.
In fact, not only do people see that they are not alone-- they now know they are in the majority, whether they are at home or on the street.
Pause for a moment, and think about what starteling progress this is in only a few short weeks.
Ideas are being bandied about, and things will coalesce soon enough. I suspect an event-- such as the European debacle coming to a head, or something not even on the radar-- will be the catalyst that will see demands come forth.
I would be surprised if Chantal Hebert really understood what was going on regarding the Occupy movement, but I am shocked that she is so clueless.
Utterly clueless.
"The nicest answer I can conclude is, the message for the NDP is to hope all the protestors go away soon."
Actually, you have to sort of feel sorry for the NDP.
Ages ago, when they really were a revolutionary kind of party, the knock against them was that they were a revolutionary party. So, they softened that aspect, over and over again-- like ejecting the Waffle in Ontario and turning to the media and saying "are we main stream enough now?" Only to have the media snigger behind their sleeves and up the anti. Over and over.
Until we take the word socialist out of the preamble.
And even that won't do it.
Now, when the mood is revolutionary, the NDP looks too mainstream.
And, I say that as an NDP member, who has never and likely will never vote anything but NDP.
This protest is a protest against Corporate power. And governments are seen to be in the graps of that corporate power. The NDP not nearly so much as the Democrats in the States-- "Republicrats" as some call them. But the NDP, by trying to identify so much as mainstream for so long, have unfortunately put themselves on the outside of this protest.
Where they should be.
Where they should understand they should be.
Any attempt by NDP leadership to get out in front of this parade and start pretending to lead it would be seen as an attempt by the establishment to co-opt the movement.
UPDATE: The march that was scheduled for 8am tomorrow has been postponed.
@Catchfire: First you mock Torontonians, then you want to be one of us? Make up your mind, daddy-o.
@Tommy: Yup.
That's the nice thing about enjoying no expectations. You're off the hook by default.