To successfully change public policy, force the passage of legislation, or pull off a revolution, you dont need a majority of the people or even a majority of voters. A committed, well organized minority is all that is required. All substantial social progress occurs with less than a majority. A majority will come to embrace the advance, but only after it has been achieved by an activist minority. The American Revolution was carried out by a minorty, the majority of colonists opposed war with Britain. Slavery ended, inspite of a majority supporting it or being indifferent to it. The Abolitionists were a distinct minority on the issue. Womens Suffrage was adopted even though a majority of Americans were opposed to it. The same was true of integration, womens rights, ending the Viet Nam War, gay rights, and marriage equality. In every case, right prevailed, with the majority coming along, kicking and screaming in protest and opposition. A number of factors are responsible for this rather bizarre, yet predictable, process. Many people dont care or dont wish to bother themselves with issues that do not have an immediate, personal affect on their own lives. In the dynamics of voting, the effect can be seen mathematically: Only half of the population is eligible to vote (age, residency and citizenship preclude the other half) Of those eligible, only half of them are registered. Of those registered, half do not bother to vote. So only about 12.5% go to the polls. A little over half of them elect a candidate. Say, 7 people out of 100! And just 1 or 2 can influence the other 5 or 6 on single issues. Just such a dynamic is the way social movements effect change, unpopular ideas become popular ones, and how minorities shape public policy and frame public debates. An organized, dedicated contingent of activists and AR supporters comprising less than 1% of the populace could influence enough of the public to make meaningful gains for the animals even under our current system. And a similar core of activists could eventually bring down Capitalism, the ochestrator of the Animal Holocaust.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 04:35:40 +0000
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