Context: IMO, most of what ails us can be traced back to capitalism run by Oligarchs. I don’t think I really have a beef with capitalism. But I do have a BIG beef with capitalism run by Oligarchs. All of the following problems are created or exacerbated by the Oligarchy:
- fouling and pillaging of the environment
- massive income and wealth inequality
- a radically unfair taxation system
- a healthcare system ravaged by profiteering
- a poor education system
- a bloated and species threatening military complex
- an unhealthy food production and distribution system
- unsustainable farming, ranching, and fishing practices
- a largely corrupt media system
- a deliberately misinformed and credulous population
I might have missed some big ones, but this list seems sufficiently terrible.
So first, you might disagree with the premise?
If you largely agree, how can we fight back against the Oligarchy?
"Fighting the Oligarchy" won't be something that can be achieved in one stroke but will require a constant effort to push it back and resist. we are talking a lot of time and effort here and that's something to keep in mind. There is a lot I could say here, but its ultimately going to be a reflection of my own views and could be less than useful. Rather than give any specific answers I will try to highlight some of the practical issues as "tool kit" for starting out and let you reach your own conclusions about what you want to do. Here's something to keep in mind.
1. The biggest practical problem here is not individual policy areas, but the state itself as a battleground for political change. If the state can be reformed within the scope of democratic institutions, the oligarchy can be replaced peacefully. Its therefore good to be aware of how the institutions work, what different levels of government do and who represents you at each level (e.g. local, state, federal).
If democracy has become so corrupt that its no longer effective, or else was always a sham to begin with, you're going to be forced into wanting to overthrow the system by revolutionary means. Obviously "revolution" isn't something to be taken lightly and I'm not suggesting or inviting you to be "stupid". realistically however, revolution should be at the bottom of the list of prioritises and if it is really that bad it won't be a minority view because the grievances will affect so many people. Given that revolutionary politics challenge us to think about what would stay the same and what would change, they can be intellectually useful- but practically its stupidly dangerous even if you have the best of intentions. revolutions are periods in which people have so little control over the situation, the outcome rarely corresponds to people's intentions, so even if they are good that's not the same as achieving them.
Its worth keeping in mind that reform and revolution are
not mutually exclusive and that revolutionary groups can and do participate in the political process to take advantage of the opportunities on offer and to discredit the system as a sham. reformist groups often benefit from revolutionary movements by delivering the same message but in a much more attractive "non-violent" form.
2. Treating the Oligarchy and Capitalism as separate issues is very significant. If Capitalism fundamentally "works" and the Oligarchy is a deformation of Capitalism, the solution is generally going to be to make Capitalism work again. How you define Capitalism as a "working system" also matters because if you say that people pursuing private profit unintentionally produce a social good, the aim remains the social good. However libertarians and objectivists may simply be satisfied with selfishness and the private good as the "public interest" is considered a myth to force people to obey a higher power. So you would end up supporting privatisation, de-regulation, lower taxes and government spending, etc.
If the Oligarchy is a necessary and inescapable product of Capitalism, then Capitalism is part of the problem. The solutions you would end up choosing would reflect that by insisting that an economic system work for the
public good rather than a private good, such as public ownership, regulation, economic planning towards common objectives, higher taxes and government spending.
How we think and frame the problem has direct effect on how we see the world, what we think is possible and what solutions we strive to achieve. Its common to say we live in a "post-ideological" time where ideology is irrelevant, but that is mainly because the ideology of the "oligarchy" has become effectively universal. we live in a market based system which is managed to get specific outcomes. just because we take it for granted and have known nothing else does not make it "normal", "natural" or "inevitable". History is full of surprises and time doesn't flatter people's egos or their illusions as they will come unstuck eventually. Ideologies are very powerful and its good to be aware of what the options are and to think around the political spectrum. If nothing else, it will make you think more clearly and challenge your own assumptions. you shouldn't be afraid to read points of view you consider taboo or controversial as it may still provide something useful. you can still work with people you disagree with and they can provide useful knowledge or perspectives to draw on (like being on RF for example).
3. As an individual, you have a very limited ability to effect change. Its still worth exploring them just to know what your options are like writing to local officials or your local paper to express an opinion, or going to town hall meetings or sitting in on decisions by the local council. Bigger social changes occur when large groups of people get together and decide "enough is enough". We may be in one of those times when the level of discontent is such that the system can no longer ignore it and will have to reform or give concessions. [Revolutions meanwhile take decades to build up as a combination of increasing social pressure and repression- like leaving the gas on a pan full of water and the lid tight on, the pan boils over.] Either way, the effectiveness of your actions is increased if you work with people who share similar ideas and goals. it doesn't have to be perfect, but just "enough" to be workable and sustainable over the long-term. Joining a political party (such as a third party) may be a good place to start as a way to explore alternatives to the Republican/Democratic Oligarchy. The point here is to commit yourself to change as a long term goal and to accept that much of what you will be doing is going to be pretty mundane, such as reading radical newspapers, attending party or group meetings, canvassing people's support or going on protests and getting media coverage to publicise a cause or event. sustaining this means having a deeper sense of your beliefs as part of a bigger picture in which you- along with thousands and millions of others- are actively working to improve the situation and exercise power from the bottom-up. rather than be something dull or a chore, "politics" has to become part of your everyday life as something you can sustain. ideally, find ways to enjoy it, or else make sure you take a break from it every once in a while so you can let off steam and don't burn out.
Regardless of what you decide, I'd recommend the book below as a resource and reference material. it may be what you are looking for.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Activists-Handbook-step-step-participatory-x/dp/1848135920
