I liked this and thought i'd share. Comments welcome!
Jamie
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Make Democracy, Not War
7 March 2003
Over the past months, millions of people around the world have loudly
proclaimed that we do not support a war upon the people of Iraq. We have
written letters and signed petitions. We have organised anti-war groups
and we have taken over the streets in the largest demonstrations the world
has ever seen. Yet, the governments of supposedly democratic nations
including the US, the UK and Australia remain committed to war. Democracy
means decision-making <i>by the people</i>. If decisions in these
countries were made by the people, there would be no war. We do not want
our labour, our resources and the lives of our friends, family and
neighbours recruited by the military to be used for the mass destruction
of human life.
The anti-war slogan 'Not in Our Name' demonstrates the sense of violation
we feel when governments that claim to represent us ignore our wishes. Sex
without consent is called rape. Mass murder (e.g. war) without consent is
called foreign policy.
If we want to live in democracy, we have to make it. True democracy (like
good sex) is based on participation, co-operation and consent. This begins
with people like you. It begins in your house, not the White House. It
begins in your workplace, not corporate headquarters. It begins in your
community, not the 'international community' or the UN. Feminist groups
got it right -- the personal is political.
* What gives you pleasure?
* What causes you frustration or makes you angry?
* How do you feel when someone else tells you what to do?
* What do you want to do with your life?
These are the types of questions we should be asking ourselves and each
other. The answers should give us inspiration to change our lives, our
relationships, our work and our communities. True democracy is
participatory, not just voting once every few years and watching the
results on television. It means working together to make decisions, not
being told what to do by people with more money or power. It means working
together for fulfilling lives, not destroying the lives of others.
If you want to live in a peaceful democracy, you can help by practising it
now. Talk to your neighbours and share your concerns. Set up small
community groups where decisions are made by consensus, without leaders.
Work with other interested people to provide for your needs, whatever they
are (e.g. childcare, making friends, healthcare, sharing skills and
knowledge, stopping war, addressing racism and sexism, or growing food).
Organise with your fellow workers or students to resist authority and
develop democracy in workplaces, schools and universities. And, make love
-- practising consent, communicating desires and sharing pleasure are
skills we all need to make democracy.
_______________________________________
For more information, inspiration and ideas, see:
Addicted to War - Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism by Joel Andreas
A new updated edition of this excellent illustrated expose of the history
of America's war-dependent economy, rampant militarism and bloody
interventions around the world, from the notion of Manifest Destiny to the
"War on Terrorism". A superb political graphic guide for young and old
alike, describing with clarity, detail and strong illustrations what they
just don't tell you at school.
The Compassionate Revolution by David Edwards
An engaging and accessible book arguing that replacing authority and
profit with compassion makes for happier lives and more equal societies.
Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements Of Propaganda by Noam Chomsky
Beginning with a brief overview of the origins of propaganda in America,
Chomsky examines the varieties of mind control and behaviour modification
that result when government and businesses use image manipulation and
disinformation to influence events. New 2nd edition updated post 9/11.
Quiet Rumours: an anarcha-feminist reader
A collection of essays that demonstrates the connection between
libertarian participatory democracy (sometimes called anarchism) and
efforts to change the way in which gender affects the lives of women and
men.
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
A novel highlighting the inequalities of contemporary society and
exploring a radical alternative, while telling a beautiful and engaging
story.
http://www.akpress.com & http://www.akuk.com
AK Press is an international non-profit workers' co-operative that
publishes and distributes radical literature. They sell most of the books
above and many others on related issues.
http://www.autonomous.org.uk
The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh is an example of a community centre
that provides support and information for local groups promoting
participatory democracy.
http://www.hsg.cupboard.org/
Haringey Solidarity Group -- A good example of community-based democracy.
http://www.intercourse.org.uk/
Intercourse: talking sex -- Information and resources to encourage more
open and comfortable discussion of sex and sexuality.
http://www.iww.org.uk/ and http://www.iww.org/
The Industrial Workers of the World is a union run directly by its
members, promoting global solidarity and direct action for alternatives to
capitalism.
http://www.social-ecology.org/
As both an educational and activist organization, the Institute for Social
Ecology is committed to the social and ecological transformation of
society. It is the ISE's core belief that the human potential to play a
creative role in natural and social evolution can be realized, thereby
allowing us to foster communities free from hierarchy, social inequity,
and ecological degradation.
http://www.parecon.org/
A web site about Participatory Economics, a democratic alternative to
capitalism and state socialism. The underlying values parecon seeks to
implement are equity, solidarity, diversity, and participatory self
management.
http://www.schnews.org.uk/stopwar/
Direct Action Against War. Also a good general source of news and
information.
http://www.zmag.org/
A good source of information that you will never get in the mainstream
media.
@nti-copyright (2003) Feel free to edit/reprint and share!
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