• rio [none/use name]
    ·
    2 months ago

    If electoralism wants to be part of the gang then maybe it should do something useful. It’s not “divisive” to point out that it’s trying to take credit for things it didn’t contribute to.

    MLK pointed it out. The “moderate” is more dangerous than an open white supremacist because at least the white supremacist is being honest with you. It’s good to divide from those who don’t contribute and who inevitably stab you in the back.

    For real, tell me electoralisms greatest achievement. I don’t need a list, give me one thing.

    • nohaybanda [he/him]
      ·
      2 months ago

      Liberal electoralism is not the only kind there is. I would argue that the Chinese conception of Representational democracy is a form of electoral politics. The devil’s in the details.

      Considering @Rooskie91@discuss.online explicitly listed revolutionary action as a valid strategy, I think they deserve a good faith attempt to engage.

      • rio [none/use name]
        ·
        2 months ago

        My question was made in good faith.

        What’s the greatest achievement of electoralism?

        • nohaybanda [he/him]
          ·
          edit-2
          2 months ago

          I’ve linked an example above. Are you already familiar with the concept but disagree with my thesis that this is a form of electoral politics? If I proposed that Soviet council power was a form of electoral politics (as opposed to direct democracy or autocratic rule), would you disagree or expand on that?

          Or are you doubling down on you in initial knee jerk reaction and refusing to engage critically and seriously? The first step of a good faith attempt to engage with ideas is to ask for clarification.

          • Sphere [he/him, they/them]
            ·
            2 months ago

            Rio is asking for a specific accomplishment; you're pointing out systems of government. As such, it looks like the two of you are talking past one another at the moment.

            • nohaybanda [he/him]
              ·
              2 months ago

              Cuba’s pivot on LGBTQ rights is a direct result of electoral politics? Or do we take the CIA line that all communist societies are autocratic systems where a single man makes all decisions?

              • Sphere [he/him, they/them]
                ·
                2 months ago

                Look, I wasn't making the argument; you'll see elsewhere in this thread that I agree with you. I was just trying to get your conversation back on track. That...doesn't seem to have worked very well, unfortunately.

              • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
                ·
                2 months ago

                What you are talking about is called "democracy." Electoralism is a method of power transfer from the few to the many.

                • nohaybanda [he/him]
                  ·
                  2 months ago

                  Yes I am talking about democracy. A subset of democratic governance is representative democracy, in which political functionaries and leaders are elected by way of popular* elections and given some* power to govern. Electoralism then is the practice of engaging with electoral politics using a variety of tactics - agitation, propaganda, canvassing, organised voting, voter suppression - in order to empower delegates who will in turn attempt to advance a political agenda. The "transfer of power from the few to the many" is one such agenda that may be pursued electorally. It is wrong to equate the goal with the political practice, they are different.

                  Now, within socialist tradition there exists a strain of politics, which centers electoralism as the primary mode of political struggle towards the empowerment of the working class, to the exclusion or suppression of more active forms of struggle. That is called reformism. I challenge every one of you arguing with me here to show me where I have advocated for reformism.


                  • I know these vary a lot, don't @ me
          • rio [none/use name]
            ·
            edit-2
            2 months ago

            I asked a direct question: what is an achievement in terms of civil rights or social progress.

            What’s more that was obviously in the context of western liberal democracy anyway.

            You point to a system in China that hasn’t really achieved any system change either and then go on to say some rant about me having a knee jerk reaction.

            All that after saying I’m arguing in bad faith.

            Go fuck yourself or give me an example of system change, preferably one in the context of western liberal democracy since that’s clearly the relevant context but if you can’t do that I’ll also take an example from China because I’m not a bad faith douche bag and I’ll let you move the goal posts if that helps you.

            • nohaybanda [he/him]
              ·
              edit-2
              2 months ago

              Eat my entire ass. I very explicitly rejected the idea that liberal electoralism is the only possible kind and gave a reason why we should not default to capitalist societies as the sole or default carriers of the democratic tradition.

              While we’re on the subject. good faith approach: hey what do you mean by electoralism here?

              Bad faith: your aggro bullshit

              EDIT: I’m being aggro as well. My apologies, I’ll take a step back and cool off

              • rio [none/use name]
                ·
                edit-2
                2 months ago

                While you take time to cool off try and think of ONE EXAMPLE

                All you’re doing is pontificating. I’m asking for an example. A concrete example. You’re not giving me one, you’re just sounding off, accusing me of shit, and being an ass.