The Synergies and Tensions Between Electoral Organizing and Countervailing Power: A Closer Look
Title: The Power of Grassroots Organizing and Electoral Politics in Progressive Movements
In a joint series by The American Prospect and The Forge: Organizing Strategy and Practice, the power of grassroots organizing and electoral politics in progressive movements is explored. The series highlights how organizers can use public policy to build mass membership organizations to counterbalance oligarchic power. Collaborating with the Working Families Party, the Action Lab, and Social and Economic Justice Leaders, the series delves into the synergies and tensions between electoral organizing and countervailing power.
The article traces the historical significance of electoral politics in progressive movements, emphasizing the role of trade unions in mobilizing workers to vote for policymakers who support labor rights. It showcases examples of successful electoral mobilization, such as UNITE HERE’s impact on swing states during the 2022 midterms.
The narrative also delves into the evolution of organizing strategies, from the heyday of the industrial labor movement to the emergence of non-reformist reform tactics aimed at building power through concrete demands and small victories. The article highlights the experiences of organizations like Fair Share in Boston and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, which combined grassroots issue organizing with electoral politics to achieve progressive policy wins.
The piece underscores the importance of transracial alliances and the need for progressives to navigate the complexities of electoral endorsements and candidate support. It also addresses the challenges posed by billionaire funding and the fragmentation within the progressive left.
Ultimately, the article celebrates the successes of grassroots organizing and electoral politics in transforming power dynamics and advancing progressive agendas. It underscores the importance of building coalitions, disciplining within the party, and aligning movement energy with electoral strategies to create lasting change.
