Theory, Practice, Praxis (0.00 / 0)

What with the Obama teams ostensible emphasis on pragmatism, and the immediate challenges to confront, I wonder/worry about whether or not Progressives (or the left in general) will be able to lay down some good theoretical (or, if you like, ideological) foundations in the public mind -- akin to the way that everyone previously believed that markets were a preferable solution to all problems -- which can carry any initial policy gains forward, and truly move the center to the left.

Obviously problem-solving comes first, but in real terms no matter how open the Obama team makes this process (e.g. change.gov style) there are going to be a shit-ton of smart people who are not directly engaged in the pragmatic nuts and bolts, including many on this blog.

Do you see this as something worth working on? Even as your book looks to the past to understand America's Progressive history, should we not be looking to the future, and figuring out what a 21st century Left really believes?

Me | My Work | Future Majority

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by: Josh Koenig @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 12:40:02 PM CST

Mitchell tapped to be Mideast envoy. Hard-liners are pissed.....YAY!!! (0.00 / 0)

If selected, that's Obama's #2 positive move for the benefit of the Palestinians.

The #1 positive move, in my humble opinion, was artfully included in Obamas speech, where he referred to ".. those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents,.

Yes Israel - he' talkin' to YOU, too!

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

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by: worldlymother @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 15:27:48 PM CST