I have decided to limit my political actions – it isn’t good for me. I’ve been feeling that I have a responsibility for doing politics, or else the world will go to hell, but now I’ve realized something: if I do politics motivated by fear, that’s not much better. Sure, I care about the rest of the world, but the main reason for doing politics was fear for my own future.
I started getting interested in politics about three years ago, when I swiched from writing Norwegian Danish to writing real Norwegian. I became a member of Norsk Målungdom, and after some time there decided I wanted to pick a political party. I only knew of the biggest ones, so I felt the best party would be “Sosialistisk Venstreparti” (lit. “Socialist Left Party”). Then I learned that there is actually a much better party – “Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne” (lit. “The Environmental Party the Green Ones”). I was glad to learn about this party, and I agreed with everything in the program. I joined it about a year ago, determined to do what I could for the future.
The election is now over, and the party tripled its amount of votes in four years. I think it’s because it’s getting more visible, and people actually get to know it exists. As for me, doing politics sucks the energy right out of me. I might help out next election too, but until then, I want to do little to no politics officially. The only problem is that I have an official spot in the youth organization, although only as a substitute. They’ll probably do fine without me. When I’ve no energy left, I get into “don’t do anything and say “told you so” when the world goes to hell” mode, so I’d rather not waste it.
I have had more luck “converting” people in private life, so I’ll just keep doing that. MDG will keep growing. They don’t need my help with that. The future is green! :)
Saturday, 19. September 2009
The whole “motivation out of fear or love” issue is a fascinating one. Some people do better (or even can only take action) when they act out of motives rooted in fear. For others (including me) this does not work at all. They need a positive, love-based reason to do things.
It’s interesting, really. I guess it’s a matter of what energies you work with.
Sunday, 18. October 2009
I have a few friends who are into politics, and I find all of them to be nervous wrecks. I think politics as we see it today is totally fear-based, and I don’t know if it’s possible to get a love based lever in there. I think love-based people are more likely to stay out of it and to improve the world in a way that supports authenticity and kindness. Though I’m still not sure about that.
I do know that a group of anarchists I know tried to fight the system (new university legislation) with fear energy and have now created a new little system (a squatted house they have made into their own “free university”) which is just as bad as the old. It’s literally rotten with bureaucracy and power-struggles.
Andrew
Sunday, 18. October 2009
Yes, I think you’re right. I don’t know what everyone else is motivated by, but I’ve had my share of fear based politics for sure.
I haven’t thought much about it before, but what you say about your political friends holds true for many of the people I know too.