What is the role of a youth caucus within political parties? Is it merely a training ground for future bureaucrats and politicians? Or is it something more than that. I have often argued that we cannot hope to make change without accepting that electoral politics do have limitations. I strongly believe that the role of a youth caucus is to agitate and to educate others about the history of the labour movement, of the CCF, of Marx, of Lenin, and how the left has been influenced throughout history. This is not to say that I am entirely against electoral politics, I work on campaigns for people who, I feel, have a genuine dedication to social justice and bringing change to the way decisions are made in Canada. However, the minute adjustments made in the parliament will make little difference on the average person's life and will not suffice without a grassroots movement to support them. It is unfortunate that government has gotten to the point where it is NOT for the people anymore and has become a reflection of what the powerful want.
That is not to say that people who work for the party, or who become MP's, MPPs, and MLAs do not sincerely believe in democratic socialism, it is more to say that those beliefs sometimes have to be masked in order to make electoral gain. The federal and provincial youth caucuses should recognize this, and not necessarily focus on electoral gain, but rather on agitation and creating political awareness with their peers. Social justice, fair working conditions, and societal CHANGE will only occur when people are angry or agitated enough to create a movement that demands change and forces the ruling government to move their stance to what the people decide. This has been demonstrated, in a small way, with the clean air and climate change act. Small changes, yes...but these could not have happened without the will of the people. Now, Canadians must unite to take on larger (and occasionally contentious) issues, in order to create the same success on a larger level.
The youth can take this on. This is our world to inherit, and to re-innovate for the way WE want to see it. However, complacency run amok within our generation. Politicians, of all stripes, are seen as crooks and, well, "politicians". It is time to change that, to renew the idea of a workers party. A youth party. A party for the people.
Sadly, many of our representatives are stuck in a time when electoral politics and small gains are the best that can be done. In the mean time, it is up to the next generation-to the youth-to create the change we want for the rest of our lives and for our children.
Solidarity.
That is not to say that people who work for the party, or who become MP's, MPPs, and MLAs do not sincerely believe in democratic socialism, it is more to say that those beliefs sometimes have to be masked in order to make electoral gain. The federal and provincial youth caucuses should recognize this, and not necessarily focus on electoral gain, but rather on agitation and creating political awareness with their peers. Social justice, fair working conditions, and societal CHANGE will only occur when people are angry or agitated enough to create a movement that demands change and forces the ruling government to move their stance to what the people decide. This has been demonstrated, in a small way, with the clean air and climate change act. Small changes, yes...but these could not have happened without the will of the people. Now, Canadians must unite to take on larger (and occasionally contentious) issues, in order to create the same success on a larger level.
The youth can take this on. This is our world to inherit, and to re-innovate for the way WE want to see it. However, complacency run amok within our generation. Politicians, of all stripes, are seen as crooks and, well, "politicians". It is time to change that, to renew the idea of a workers party. A youth party. A party for the people.
Sadly, many of our representatives are stuck in a time when electoral politics and small gains are the best that can be done. In the mean time, it is up to the next generation-to the youth-to create the change we want for the rest of our lives and for our children.
Solidarity.
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7 comments:
It's like The Unicorns sing in their song 'Emasculate The Masculine':
"'Cause everyone I know
is too comfortable with their lives
to ever be a part of change"
I understand that for sure. Although, I've found that talking to people about their lives, their work, and what is bothering them yields extremely political answers. Now, we just have to be ready to take advantage of the "beneath the surface" injustices working people experience daily.
I get cynical with this stuff sometimes. I always wonder who's in it for power and who's actually in it to make a difference...(and to what extent I may be involved for the former rather than the latter) and whether you can get involved in the system for both reasons (is it possible?. I kind of also wonder who enters the process with genuine desires to change things and changes after getting their first taste of power, like an addiction.
I think the youth caucuses definitely do play a role in "training" future politicians etc, but that's not there only purpose. Unlike the "main" party the youth caucus' primary goal is to engage youth and to be heard, not to get elected, which gives it the freedom to take positions and get involved with things that most in the political sphere wouldn't dream of touching with a ten foot pole.
One of the things I really like about the youth caucuses is that they give youth who wouldn't normally engage in party politics a venue to drive for change within the parties and give them a chance to influence those who might just be there to "get their foot in the door".
I agree with you that it is up to the youth to create the change that we want, since we'll be the one's dealing with the consequences of today's actions tomorrow.
I think youth could make a difference if they were educated about what is really going on in politics. In reality that has not happened and I can't see anything happen in the near future that would allow them to fight for their future. They have been taught to think about the hear and now and to worry about the problems they may face later. It's about how much money you can make not about balance. So unfortunetly it may be out of our reach to expect students to wake up.
Where their is hope I would think is in electoral politics and more percisely the NDP. What we really need is to stop worrying about the polls so much and become a party of integrity instead of convience. If the Liberals steal NDP ideas go for it, as long as they are put into place that is all that matters. It's about getting things done and I agree we need you to put pressure on our sometimes misguided politicians. Maybe we will get to the old school someday and scoff at youth making these comments but until that day what the heck.
My favorite story of Tommy Douglas is where he stood up in the house of commons day after day opposing the use of the war mesures act to imprison innocent protestors in Quebec. The polling numbers took a nose dive, he was heckled continuously in the house but he stood his ground. And after people got over the fear mongoring of Pierre Trudeau if not already he became an even more respected individual.
And that is why we need to make sure as youth that we are going to be supporting politicians for leadership roles that are willing to put their integrity before the polls like the war in Afghanistan.
I see that. But so many people dislike the idea of politics/politicians that it is sometimes easier to agitate people. Later on, point out, oh I heard the NDP etc. did XYZ about this issue. Agitation and showing people that their beliefs are NOT those of the current government(s) is a good way to work, especially during elections, which is when most parties all of a sudden decide "hey, lets reach out to youth".
Thoughts?
I wouldn't say that we need to make Utopian changes to improve the standard of living. Cumulative, piecemeal, and progressive reforms, including market regulations or extending social benefits increase the level of social justice without changing the overall system.
As for the function of a youth caucus, I simply think it should be a place for youth to share and critique ideas. An open forum, if you will.
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