One huge difference between Progressives and Conservatives everywhere (and I mean, in every part of the world that I’m aware of) is the following: the Progressives can’t keep their energies focused on small practical issues and resolve them one at a time. Every attempt at activism always leads to the actual point being lost in a barrage of well-sounding words about justice, freedom, and revolution. As to getting something done? Oh, that’s boring.
The Conservatives, however, are really good at selecting the actual existing legislation they don’t like and chipping at it with the consistency and single-mindedness of hyperactive woodpeckers. Look at what’s happening in the US in terms of abortion. The Republicans can’t do anything about Roe vs Wade at the moment, so they are busy at work introducing bills that gradually limit reproductive rights everywhere in the country. I’m opposed to their goal but I can’t help admiring the consistency of endeavor, the hard work, and the 100% concentration at the goal. This is what I call a work ethic, people. The cause is the one I abhor but just imagine this kind of persistence applied to a positive, progressive goal. How much could be achieved!
And then look at Progressive causes. The Russians came out into the streets to protest unfair elections but then the entire thing dissolved in catchy slogans about everything and nothing at the same time. No alternative candidates came forward, no concrete demands were made, but every participant of the protests had a blast. Then, look at #Occupy protests. Again, lots of very vague – but very pretty – verbiage and no concrete results. And I will not bore you yet again with the story of how the protests against tuition hikes in Quebec are dissolving in protests against all things bad and for all things good. But everybody has a good time. I wish I could be more appreciative of the community bonding aspect of such events. Maybe then the lack of concrete results would not bother me so much.
When I was a union organizer, it was always this way. We’d get together to discuss a concrete issue, yet the conversation would always veer off towards completely unrealistic projects that nobody in their right mind could have a slightest hope of carrying through. And everybody always glared at me and told me I couldn’t “think big” because I kept suggesting that we make a plan and a schedule of our activities.
Call me a pedestrian plodder, but I always get bored when people tell me of their plans to write an amazing book, start a super profitable business, or become a hip hop star. I’m much more impressed by those who have an actual list of chapters and dates for their completion or a detailed business plan. I’m on my summer vacation now, yet I make a list of goals I need to achieve every day and plan what I will do each day in 30-minute increments. I know this makes me sound like a boring person but I achieve results. And yes, the time to write this post was also scheduled in advance.
Clarissa's Blog 
I agree with this completely. My research advisor says that you eat an elephant one bite at a time. Only thinking large-scale prevents things from actually getting done, because the whole thing is so overwhelming. I’ve also recently achieved results from following such a plan: every morning after data analysis I revise the introduction to a potential paper. It’s been four days, and already I have something that can see the light of day. It makes me wonder why I’ve never thought of doing something like this before.
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Yes, this is a big problem, and this is precisely why “Progressives” have so much trouble getting stuff done, even while in Government.
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I think you’re right, too. And you’re certainly not the only person I’ve ever seen bring it up; Amanda Marcotte at Pandagon makes a similar point in almost every other political post she writes.
And you were a union organizer? That rocks! Yay for you!
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I’m getting convinced that Progressives and Conservatives, at least the versions that exist in the USA, are a symbiotic creature, two halves of the same entity that depend upon and can’t exist without the other.
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“I’m getting convinced that Progressives and Conservatives, at least the versions that exist in the USA, are a symbiotic creature, two halves of the same entity that depend upon and can’t exist without the other.”
– That’s where I’m getting, too.
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Progressives never fail to disappoint me in practical matters. They can’t address an issue directly, in order to deal with bullying, disruptions, or what have you. They always prevaricate, condemn an analysis that is too direct, and assume that doing nothing is the only way to avoid doing wrong.
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I so agree! So much beating around the bush, so much of this tired “every opinion and choice is equally valid no matter how stupid and pig-headed it might be”, so much fake guilt and useless blabber about privilege and what not. Good people but so useless. The conservatives, on the other hand, are not good people, for the most part, but they are effective.
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Well, because if they engage in the real world, they are likely to get some dirt on them, and that is something they don’t want. Rather, it is much easier to hassle others who are engaging in the real world, and to point out where they fall short. A stupid game, really, but some people convince themselves there is something to be gained by it, if only self-preservation and self-image.
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“so they are busy at work introducing bills that gradually limit reproductive rights everywhere in the country.”
One thing that I don’t get. Feminists who describe these laws in even more vitrolic ways will still hold up scandinavia as a shining exemple of women’s rights even though we limit abortion even more than some of those laws (free choice to have an abortion only in the first 12 weeks in Norway, first 18 weeks in Sweden). Recently the fact that a healthy fetus had been aborted at 22 weeks caused a scandal that reached the national legislative. That state GOP law that was so hated only banned it after 18 weeks, but that’s a war on women and Scandinavia is still great. I don’t get it.
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I really dig it when people bring vague accusations for some imaginary feminists here and lay them at my door. When exactly did I hold up Sweden as an example of anything? Who has extolled Sweden’s reproductive rights?
Sweden is doing weird things because they can’t raise birth rates no matter what they do. How any of this is my fault is a complete mystery.
Seriously, people, get over this need to blame th imaginary scary “feminists” for everything.
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When did I ever say that you did this? It’s a thread about progressives and conservatives. This is something that feminists (progressives, at least in theory) often do.
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“This is something that feminists (progressives, at least in theory) often do.”
– What are you referring to specifically by “this”? Extolling abortion laws in Sweden?
I follow a multitude of feminist resources around the world, yet I never saw a single one saying anything positive about Sweden’s abortion laws. I’ve been wracking my brain for at least one such source, yet nothing comes to mind. Which is why I insist that the idea of some imaginary feminists extolling abortion laws in Sweden are a figment of your imagination. Maybe you could offer some links to support your opinion?
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I think the traits you list have less to do with ideology and more to do with personality. I can find all of those things in both groups. Afterall, wouldnt you consider most feminists progressives and look what most of them have accomplished in the last 50yrs. I also know many conservatives who have a hard time leaving their home because of the big bad world, terrified and stuck.
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In recent years, the feminist movement is incapable of achieving much precisely because it has been infected with the fear of offending somebody by actually expressing an opinion. Haven’t you heard of choice feminism?
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Considering feminism isnt a monolith I would disagree with you. Again this would be a personality issue not an ideology one. Afterall, just look at you. 🙂
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“Considering feminism isnt a monolith”
– Oh yes, this tired old excuse is precisely the one that choice feminists are using to explain away their grievous lack of results. In academia, they keep calling endless conferences to analyze why they are not popular with students. The answer is obvious: students are bored with the ‘anything goes” toothlessness of choice feminists. But who wants to accept that?
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Its not an excuse, it just shows you that not all people can agree on all things all the time. Good thing or else we may have to call you a F….. feminist. 😉
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If you are to engage in political activism, you have got to reach a basic agreement on the most important points on the agenda, at least.
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