A Fabian strategy for progressives
Much of the environmental movement is still discussing the “Death of Environmentalism,” the influential article by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus (available online here). In my city of Boston, there was even a conversational salon on the topic that I sadly missed (if anyone from the group of organizers knows of another such discussion in the Northeast, let me know!). The basic argument is that the environmental movement is barely holding its own ground, and isn’t advancing a compelling new vision. I’ve come to realize that the same argument can be made about the broader progressive agenda. While there is an important critique of the progressive movement on an ideological level (more about this later), I wanted to talk today about the progressive movement on a tactical level. On many fronts, the movement is engaged in a sense of holding actions where we seem to be slowly encircled. Worldwide, social welfare systems are under attack as unaffordable and anti-competitive. Basic civil liberties, from habeas corpus to the right to privacy, are coming into conflict with counter-terrorism policy. Most major environmental treaties, within the U.S. and internationally, are being inadequately enforced and are in danger of being dismantled.
We should realize that holding actions cannot be merely defensive, if there is to be some hope of advancing the broader progressive agenda. Rather, they must be part of a broader strategy. Given progressive forces relative weakness, at least in the U.S., our only political possibility is a Fabian strategy. A Fabian strategy is the practice of achieving constant, small defeats on the enemy who would win in any direct confrontation. The best example (militarily) in American history is George Washington’s campaign against the British. If we were to crystallize the lessons of Washington’s campaign into a political program, we might find the following rules of thumb:
1. Don’t risk all of your resources on a battle you are very likely to lose. There are no worthwhile symbolic loses.
2. Fight the largest battles that you can likely win. This involves carefully picking battles on terrain that is to your advantage.
3. Most important, have a long term strategy to exhaust and outmaneuver your opponent. This involves changing the dynamics of the overall battlefield, slowly, into a situation where you can win decisively. Redefine the debate to your terms.
