Dancing the dance of capitulation: the economic development rationale and the politics of kids.

AuthorSabo, Jason
PositionCommentary

Dr. Susan Prentice's contribution to this edition of the International Journal of Economic Development raises concerns that use of economic development arguments to promote early childhood education is a "capitulation to neo-liberal pessimism". While Dr. Prentice is wise to fear for the integrity of children's rights activists in state and provincial capitols, those of us fighting for increased funding for programs serving children and for a regulatory climate that puts children first have few other or more effective tools at our disposal. Like it or not, arguments that render our children to be little more than speculative investments work, particularly in lobbying efforts targeting moderate and conservative policymakers.

Protracted war and tax cuts--combined with exploding health care costs--have left American states with fewer state and federal resources. Competition for revenue pits children's issues against prisons, roads, and more tax cuts. Prevention-focused programs are often the first to be cut, as their impacts are less tangible and often occur long after politicians have left office. As the adage says, "No politician was ever re-elected for a good thing they did twenty years in the future." The tried and true techniques of pulling the heart strings of legislators simply no longer work and can often be counter-productive. Instead, we must jerk on the purse strings if we are going to be heard by policymakers.

Advocates for young children face overwhelming and increasingly lopsided odds. Despite the fact that research and common sense support investments in services for young children--especially those living in poverty each legislative and policy victory for children aged birth to five requires a protracted battle and increasingly sophisticated lobbying skills. Today's activists hire conservative pollsters, conduct opposition research, and employ the latest technologies to make their voices heard. Without the capacity to contribute heavily to political campaigns, lobbyists for kids must develop new strategies to win in an ever harsher environment.

As advocates have increased their sophistication, the political contexts in which they work have become less and less friendly. The emergence of well financed state level think tanks dedicated to shrinking government and the accompanying rise of anti-tax policymakers have made the work of advocates calling for increased investment of public funds in children's programs even more...

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