Comments on: OWS and the Recovery of Democracy

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:08:00 +0000

I think the observation that, perhaps, a majority of the protesters have lost faith in democracy in right on the money. However, speaking of money, even given the multiplicity of messages you find in OWS, there is a consistent declaration that the influence of money in politics is the source of the problem. This is not just coming from the protesters, but pundits and politicians have cited this as a problem as well.

It is also interesting to mention that the process of consensus which is the hallmark of decision making in OWS has kept the movement from taking a more radical turn. There are people within Liberty Plaza which would prefer revolution to reform, and my sense is that the process of consensus which is to be found at the GA has led to a marginalization of such voices, to the point where one protester decided to start an alternative forum called the “General Union.” However, I don’t know what’s become of that.

By: Matynia

Matynia — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:38:00 +0000

Good to read you.
I do feel a terrible hunger for conversation, though I have to admit that I am hopeless when it comes to conversing through writing. And yes, I also have more doubts and questions concerning the things that we are witnessing downtown than I put into this piece. I hope that the Flying Seminar that we have launched at the New School creates such a space for conversation. I do know what happened today in Oakland, and I am terribly upset, yet I cannot help but be very hopeful as I see the greening of assemblies everywhere.

What do they aspire to ? Hmmm… I do not know whether they know. I see it as a fluid continuum, and though I know that my characters in this continuum may not be theirs ( and that’s good !) mine are Ghandi, power of the powerless, the America of Tocqueville, Arendtian public space… Yes — their use of space, awareness of “the space of appearance”, gains an extra dimension as Zuccotti Park is founded on Information Technology….the AGORA IS WIRED (and I don’t mean by the police!)

By: Michael Corey

Michael Corey — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:28:00 +0000

Thank you for raising many interesting and important issues. I have a few comments and questions.. I have significant experience using consensus making to bring about change in the private sector in large organizations. In workplace teams, it can be very effective especially when it is evidence based on factual truths. On a broader basis, I’ve seen consensus built around visions, values and goals, which have been clearly articulated. It takes time and lots of work, but it can be done. It also requires agreement on compelling reasons that can be factually demonstrated. For teams to work, there also need to be clearly identified and agreed upon processes, mentors and leaders. For consensus building to work in larger organizations, it also requires representation. It also requires transparent processes, structure, participation and leadership. It is virtually impossible to have mass deliberative processes in my opinion based upon my experiences.

Rhetorically, I suspect that you are right: a huge percent of our population is losing trust in the workings of democracy and are concerned about what this means for their children. People on the left, right and center sense that something is wrong, but I think that what each perspective thinks is wrong is very different, and would lead to dramatically different solutions. In this sense, I’m not at all sure that OWS actually stands for the 99%. I think that their usage is somewhat different, based more upon wealth than anything else.

I would hope that common aspirations include equality of opportunity and a promise of a better life. I doubt that there would be any opposition to these. I think that while virtually all would agree on equal opportunity, I suspect that solutions to deal with this might vary significantly. My sense has been that OWS has been seeking equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity. I could be wrong.

Somewhere along the way, a consensus will have to be built around what OWS is against, but also what it is for and these will have to be backed by compelling reasons and factual truths. A consensus vision can help shape these, and if goals are articulated, actions can be identified and taken. I don’t sense that there is a consensus on a fundamental vision. Is it reform or is it revolution? I’ve heard both views espoused. Both are fundamentally different and would lead to very different actions.

Are there any historical or contemporary examples to which OWS aspires, or are the aspirations theoretical and philosophical?