South Brooklyn DSA

Electoralism has gripped the left with renewed intensity. But this piece by a group of @BRRN_Fed authors argues that if we want meaningful social change the electoral road leads us into a strategic cul-de-sac. #BuildMovementsNotElections https://crwd.fr/2IhINgf 

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I honestly think very few people on the left are looking to electoral politics as the only, or even dominant form of pushing for change. I think it takes an "orchestra of forces," i.e. even as we are building movements based in popular power, we'll still need to invest some...

The piece is pretty up front that the type on what we are criticizing: "coupled with the recognition that we also need to build mass movements outside of the voting booth, these same organizations and individuals are promoting variations of an "inside-outside" strategy."

The issue, we would argue, is that not all strategies and uses of our efforts are created equal.

Nor are all of our individual proclivities and strengths suited for all strategies or efforts.

Sure, but if someone's strengths are knocking on doors, talking to people, canvassing a neighborhood - the skills we are assuming you are referring to which would be involved in an electoral campaign - why not use those skills to build movements instead of candidates?