Comments | hmpf: Advise me

hmpf

Advise me

Jun 11, 2008 13:10

Should I join

A: an NGO

B: a party

C: both?

Comments 12

beccatoria June 11 2008, 13:24:36 UTC

Is there any reason not to join both? Clearly you think that both would be useful in actively doing something about the current global crisis or you wouldn't be considering them, so...what are the pros and cons?

The main reason not to do both is time. hmpf July 10 2008, 23:14:42 UTC

I have a tendency to want to dance on too many weddings at once, and it tends to cause chaos in my life. So, concentrating my efforts in one area seems wiser.

(For the time being I'm just doing some proofreading for 350.org.)

nick_101 June 11 2008, 18:20:10 UTC

Whatever you feel like going. Maybe both, depending on what NGO means.

tiniago June 11 2008, 18:31:34 UTC

Why not look at what's actually on offer and then decide? All NGOs won't be the same and all political parties won't have exactly the same remit or the same chance of actually making a difference. Probably contacting an NGO will be a good starting point, they'll probably have a wide range of information, sensible suggestions, you can think more about what you actually want and can practically do.

Well... hmpf July 10 2008, 23:26:19 UTC

the obvious NGO - based on 'focus' and availability of an actual group where I live - would be Greenpeace. I have certain reservations about them, but then, I can't think of an alternative - least of all one that actually has activists around here. The nearest would be a Robin Wood group in a city about an hour from here ( ... )

mjlaw June 11 2008, 20:22:34 UTC

well, it seems like you're driven by one specific (and very pressing) set of issues. A political party will most likely be set up with the aim that it would one day be part of the government. This has its ramifications for you as, by signing up to a party, you'll be signing up for a whole suite of policies across the spectrum of governance, when you might not really agree with all of them. It also means that most parties only operate on a national level. Of course, single issue and local parties do exist, and they do good work towards raising awareness, but in terms of effecting policy change in central government, I don't think they're as effective as NGOs ( ... )

Hey! hmpf July 10 2008, 23:53:54 UTC

>well, it seems like you're driven by one specific (and very pressing) set of issues ( ... )

Addendum hmpf July 10 2008, 23:54:27 UTC

Hey, btw - didn't you live in London? I'll be in London for about two hours on Saturday - I'll be hanging around Victoria Coach Station, waiting for a bus to Cardiff, from around half past one to pretty much exactly half past three. We could meet up for a short chat, if you like. (Yes, I know, this is a vaguely bizarre suggestion, but hey, vaguely bizarre ideas are often kind of fun.)

'if you like... hmpf July 10 2008, 23:56:36 UTC

*and* if you're around and have some time, obviously'. Sorry. Imprecise.

Thread 7