KW writes: Below are excerpts of an excellent story from the BBC, which focuses on the English and the American occupations. It is a great story to answer the question, “Why are they occupying Wall Street?” and “Why is Occupy Wall Street so successful, and spreading so fast?”
(excerpt from) BBC
‘Occupy’ is a response to economic permafrost
Paul Mason Economics editor
…Even in America, where the protests are bigger and have a bigger penumbra of liberal celebrities and writers to give them salience, the initial response to Occupy Wall Street was to ask: what does this mean for the Democrats? Will Obama’s ratings improve?
It’s a pointless question. Most people involved in such protests have switched off from mainstream politics: they believe it’s a rich-person’s club and totally impenetrable to reason or pressure. In Britain they have no intention of “raising demands” on Labour in opposition.
In fact they revel in their diversity; it was true in Syntagma and it is true at St Paul’s – if you ask 50 people why they’re here and what they want you will get 50 answers…
The impulse, I believe, is being driven by two things: first it is – as I wrote in the 20 reasons – a meme…
Second, because this communal, negotiated, networked life already exists in people’s heads…
…it’s much bigger than any single-issue campaign or cause. They mean to limit the power of finance capital and build a more equal society, while rejecting the hierarchical methods of the parties that once claimed to do so. In this sense the movement is a kind of replacement social democracy; a mirror image of the besuited young people who populate the think tanks of Labour, the SPD, the US Democrats etc.
Occupy Everywhere, then, is the kind of movement you get when people start to believe mainstream politicians have lost their principles, or are trapped by vested interests, or are all crooked.
That’s the answer to the question “what”. The answer to why now? Basically we are in danger of a global stagnation – it was HSBC’s economics team that described it as a permafrost. It poses the question “who pays for the banking crisis” very acutely. And large numbers of people are now realising it is going to be them, and more painfully, their children. As in Greece, in that circumstance, for every protester camped in the freezing dawn there may be many more quietly fuming in their living rooms who feel the same way…
_______________________________
Related post at wilderside:
Lists of Demands/Grievances from Occupy Wall Street: here.
_______________________________
FAQ and some summary points repeated:
Q: What is Occupy Wall Street?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests it is a response to feeling like politics is an impenetrable, rich person’s club.
Q: Why is this happening?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests it is a response to feeling like politics is an impenetrable, rich person’s club.
Q: What are some of the key factors in the success of Occupy Wall Street?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor, suggests that: It has become a powerful internet meme. And, it feeds into a communal spirit shared by people who already enjoy social media.
Q: Will Occupy Wall Street effect the upcoming elections?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests that the question is not very applicable. He thinks that the Occupy Wall Street people are alienated from politics. He also says that in Britain, the Occupiers have no desire to raise demands to current, elected officials.
Q: What does Occupy Wall Street mean for the Democrats?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests that the question is not very applicable. He thinks that the Occupy Wall Street people are alienated from politics.
Q: Is Occupy Wall Street about the Democrats?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests that the question is not very applicable. He thinks that the Occupy Wall Street people are alienated from politics.
Q: What does Occupy Wall Street mean for Obama?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests that the question is not very applicable. He thinks that the Occupy Wall Street people are alienated from politics.
Q: Is Occupy Wall Street about Obama?
In this opinion piece, Paul Mason, an economics editor suggests that the question is not very applicable. He thinks that the Occupy Wall Street people are alienated from politics.
Filed under: activism, elections, grassroots democracy, New York State Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, social & economic justice, US Politics Tagged: | 99%, austerity, banking crisis, economics, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Wall Street and Democrats, Occupy Wall Street and Labour Party, Occupy Wall Street economics, Occupy Wall Street meme, Occupy Wall Street opinion, Occupy Wall Street spreading, opinion on Occupy Wall Street, Paul Mason, US economy, What is Occupy Wall Street about, Why is Occpuy Wall Street so successful, worldwide occupations
According to Alex Jones misinformation channel, you are all Socialists and Commies. You must be turning some heads to get them to label you such.
Good On You!
Personally, I think that EVERY ideology should be there and wish I could be.
AJ said that the Nazis were there, too.
LOL
If there are any Nazis there, they are behaving themselves. Perhaps the spirit of love and tolerance in Liberty Square has transformed everyone.
[…] Opinion on Occupy Wall Street: Why is this happening? (www.onthewilderside.com) […]