The Boston Proposal in Context.

• Author: Herrick, Steve

In the four years since the Association of State Green Parties split from the Greens/Green Party USA, there have been a series of attempts to reunify them. In broad and general terms, these organizations represent the two tendencies within the Green movement, the "realos" and the "fundis," respectively.

"Realos" are characterized (stereotyped, some might say) by a desire to make the Greens appealing to a broader public base, thereby extending our values to society at large. This implies running to win in elections at every possible level, with campaigns that the general populace finds accessible and non-threatening.

"Fundis" feel strongly that this approach to making change dilutes our values, and that it changes us more than we change society. Instead, they maintain, we must adhere uncompromisingly to ecological principles, and take action to live them and promote them to others. Anything that threatens the ecology (or social justice, non-violence, or grassroots democracy) must be confronted directly--not indirectly, through electoral politics.

Of course, these positions as I have laid them out are caricatures. Nearly all Greens identify at least a bit with each. Likewise, it would be an unfair generalization to say that each of the two national Green organizations didn't see something of itself in each description. However, the tendencies are there, as most Greens familiar with the national situation will acknowledge.

History

Most Greens will also acknowledge that it makes no sense to have two groups competing for the public's attention as the Green Party. With that in mind, various people have tried to reunite the ASGP and G/GPUSA. Holle Brian was one of the first, followed by Mike Feinstein, with input from Howie Hawkins. Obviously, these attempts were unsuccessful, despite the bard work of many more people than the three named.

Then, at the ASGP's meeting of the Coordinating Committee in Denver, immediately preceding the Presidential Nominating Convention, the dually affiliated Green Party of Massachusetts made a proposal that the ASGP and G/GPUSA send delegates to negotiate unity, with no preconditions.

There was spirited debate on this, but it passed convincingly.

The negotiations took place in Boston, on the campus of MIT, with the immensely helpful guidance of trained mediators. After a day and a half of very intense discussions and significant concessions by both sides, we produced a document to take back to our respective...