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Vying for power keeps us entrenched in the polarizing discourses of left and right, us and them, progressive and conservative. Let's be honest: these are all euphemisms for "better" and "worse" -- and "they" know it. I have a few problems with these ways of understanding current events:
First, it conveniently leaves "us" off the hook each and every time, no matter who 'us' is. (And I must add: I don't always feel comfortable identifying with the 'us' in which I am sometimes included, as I'm sure there are some who don't feel comfortable always being excluded from it).
Second, by adhering to arbitrary divisions among Canadians, 50 per cent of the people "we" believe we are speaking on behalf of are alienated. This is both disrespectful and counterproductive.
Third, by doing so, "we" close our ears to the possibilities that 'their' perspectives may in some ways a) be valid, b) be enlightening as to what is going on and why, and c) expose important ways 'we' might also be implicated in the current state of affairs.
Fourth and finally, if "we" do succeed in persuading the population, we will merely accomplish the reification of yet another set of norms, which the little guys will likely resist because that is (thankfully) what our system is designed to ensure happens. This brings us no closer to reclaiming the commons.
Full Article
Source: Rabble.ca
Vying for power keeps us entrenched in the polarizing discourses of left and right, us and them, progressive and conservative. Let's be honest: these are all euphemisms for "better" and "worse" -- and "they" know it. I have a few problems with these ways of understanding current events:
First, it conveniently leaves "us" off the hook each and every time, no matter who 'us' is. (And I must add: I don't always feel comfortable identifying with the 'us' in which I am sometimes included, as I'm sure there are some who don't feel comfortable always being excluded from it).
Second, by adhering to arbitrary divisions among Canadians, 50 per cent of the people "we" believe we are speaking on behalf of are alienated. This is both disrespectful and counterproductive.
Third, by doing so, "we" close our ears to the possibilities that 'their' perspectives may in some ways a) be valid, b) be enlightening as to what is going on and why, and c) expose important ways 'we' might also be implicated in the current state of affairs.
Fourth and finally, if "we" do succeed in persuading the population, we will merely accomplish the reification of yet another set of norms, which the little guys will likely resist because that is (thankfully) what our system is designed to ensure happens. This brings us no closer to reclaiming the commons.
Full Article
Source: Rabble.ca
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