Small bites no.2: Progressive battle plans

It's time to stop moping, get our boots on, and start stamping out fascism

I've been thinking about how those of us who hold progressive values move forward in this climate of extreme challenges and embedded pessimism. After wracking my brains this is what fell out.

There are many important battles, but never forget the war

After struggling to figure out which battles to pick and how to target my focus effectively, I came to realise that there will be no progressive victories until we can dismantle the greatest barriers to progressive change: The monopoly and oligopoly billionaires who have our politicians, our social lives, and the media under their thumb. There are very few aspects of modern life that this small handful of visciously rich men don't have influence over. We need to get the boot off our neck if we want to see things get better.

It is easier to bargain with a friend than an enemy

While I am not particularly happy with the Labour party right now due to their insistence on yet more austerity and unwillingness to tax the super rich, I still think it's a victory for progressives that they are in government. The Conservatives were never going to listen to progressive voices. Labour might. Shifting the wider political needle in our favour even a little bit matters because it determines how hostile the people in power are to our message.

The enemy of your enemy is your friend

You don't have to agree with people on every issue to work together for specific goals. Progressives need to get pragmatic about organising and forming coalitions around essential issues: Wealth redistribution, breaking up monopolies, human rights, civil rights, etc. Maybe you both support a wealth tax but don't agree about free speech? Maybe you both agree about trans rights but not about climate change? Forget the stuff you disagree about while there's work to be done. You can hash your disagreements out later, after you've had some wins over what you agree on.

Where you lack wealth and influence, you must use labour

With all the richest men in the world backing fascism, we have to be honest about the fact that progressive values don't pay right now. You're not going to be able to buy journalists and politicians and activists on the ground. We need to be realistic here about what we do have: Body count. We need to stand and be counted. We need to volunteer. We need to give our work for free now, so we can all get paid later when society is better. We have to use the tools we have, not sit around waiting for the tools we wish we had.

It's better to do right than to look right

Unless you're having real conversations with people who aren't usually engaged, or you're actively organising, venting on social media is a waste of time. We all do it. I'm not saying any of us should stop either. But I am saying we need to stop making it the only thing we do. Arguing online is a lot less effective that arguing in person. Protesting online is a lot less effective than seeing people outside and angry. Signing an online petition is a lot less effective than making sure your MP knows they'll be getting a letter or surgery visit from you if you're not happy. Don't sit home and type when you can get out and DO.

Boost morale, not burnout

It's good to be angry at the state of the world, but don't forget to add some morale boosting to your organising. Have fun. Be silly. You'll support your cause better and keep your spirits up. Sometimes things will be really hard and the challenges will feel impossible, but the more kindness and joy you have in your arsenal, the more resilient you will be. Put the oxygen mask on yourself before you attempt to help others, and create an environment where people want to be a part of what you're doing because it makes them happy and hopeful for the future.