Daily Archives: February 22, 2012

Chapter 9: The Policy Connection

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In Chapter 9: The Policy Connection, Meyer addresses the interaction of movements and the policy process.  Using the Bonus Army as an example, Meyer highlights specific techniques employed by protesters in social movements that impact the movements effect on policy.  These techniques include: personally carrying their claims to Washington to bring them to the direct attention of policy makers, not giving in to intimidation or efforts to suppress their demonstrations, and using the media to gain allies across the nation.  Meyer describes effective demonstrations as an expression of a cause, the representation of a constituency, and the analysis of what should be done.

 

One of the main points Meyer highlights throughout this chapter is that social movements influence, develop, and affect politics over a long period of time and often in unexpected ways (165).  Social movements often get criticized for not having specific goals and showing no focused means of obtaining their goals or enacting specific changes.  However, much of this criticism stems from the issue that social movements cannot create immediate change.  Meyer points out that Madison and the other founders purposefully created our political system in a way that slows the process of political change (168).  The political policy changes that social movements bring about take a long time to pass through the system and much of the process occurs behind closed doors.  Unfortunately, by the time these changes come about, the social movements that called for them are not always given due credit.

 

Meyer presents an example of this slow political process using the antiwar and antidraft movements of the 1960s.  Although draft regulations did not change much during the Vietnam War, they have changed drastically since then.  The political fallout resulting from the antiwar movement affected the United States foreign policy for nearly thirty years (167).  It also led to more hesitancy before committing troops to foreign missions.  In addition, antidraft movements led policy makers and the military to improve the quality of life of military personnel in an effort to attract and accommodate a stable volunteer military force.  By the time these changes came about, little credit was given to the activists who participated in those social movements.

 

Keeping these issues in mind, it is interesting to think about what social movements that have occurred recently and are currently in progress will bring about political change in the future.  The OWS movement has been heavily criticized for not having any specific goals and not petitioning for specific changes within the system.  However, it is possible that major changes stemming from this movement have yet to be seen.  What policies may come about that began as reactions to the Occupy movement?

— Laura Bailey

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” -George Bernard Shaw

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Chapter 10 in Meyer’s book leaves in the hearts and minds of the readers, this idea of the continuation of protest. We see in this chapter his opinion on protests, mainly his belief in the power of protest and its vital place in our political society. I think he sends a strong message to his listeners about the importance of their role in politics. What I took mainly from this chapter was that the citizen should always be active. They should not fear rejection or change; rather they should desire to voice their opinions and act upon them in protest. The great thing about our nation is that it is a democracy. We declared that we should be given the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Later, we turned these dreams into policies of justice and freedom in our bill of rights. Meyer brings to our attention this fact because he believes it has been somewhat lost. He suggests that some citizens have begun passive or cynical about politics and thus retreat to their private lives. But we are blessed with the gift of free speech yet how can we expect our voice to be heard without protests.

In three famous examples, with recurring themes about voting rights he demonstrates the change created by our historical involvement in social movements, as well as one example from the present. This idea that American citizens including soldiers, African-Americans, and women were at one point in time denied the right to vote, is astonishing for any present day American to even fathom. We are lucky to have both the freedom to voice our opinion in protests and elections. Not every person around the world has this right. So use it! Exercise your rights. Instead of complaining about the government, be an active citizen. A great example, Meyer gives us are the protests against George W. Bush’s resurrection. These protests, like OWS, and the civil right movements give us hope for the future, as long as citizens with “collective standings” as Meyer defines it, continue to come together and fight for these common grievances, our country can rebuild itself.

As I have reflected above upon this chapter, I have been able to look at my own role in politics or lack their of. I have a lot of work to do in being more of an active and informed citizen. I have realized through this book and class the importance of protest. Although, I may not believe in every trivial issue, I do believe in the broader theory behind voicing these issues.  Protests keep us all in check. They remind us of how privileged we are to live in the land of the free and they bring justice. My first step to improve my own civic responsibility is to vote.

1) Do you think eventually the OWS protests will create change? Or do you think that our politics are so corrupted that their efforts will go unanswered?

2) What steps can you take to be a better citizen? How can you avoid becoming ignorant and inactive? What are some of your own grievances towards American government? Or more specifically, the Richmond government and community? What injustices do you see?

3) Do you think Meyer is too idealistic and simplistic to say that creating change is as easy as being a courageous citizen who accepts political responsibilities by protesting with others?

Eliza McLean