Bemusing that even today, most ‘mainstream’ political commentators and elected Democrats are surprised by and ill-equipped to deal with the Movement phenomenon. You, Dear Reader, look at the Hill and see: (x) a non-structured ideological phenomenon; that (y) exists apart from traditional institutional entities; that (z) when it wins elections retains primary loyalty to itself, not the institution. Others see something unprecedented.
A Movement is anchored to ideological purities as it lacks any formal structure. Moreover, ideology must evolve, imparting Movement direction and dynamism. Movements manufacture or benefit from crisis mentality for that dynamism and individual self-identity. All is cast in binary terms: victory or defeat, forward or back, with us or against us. Never compromise.
Membership retention and recruitment occur via public theater (protests, rallies, votes). Movements naturally flourish in times of social upheaval and fear (often creating or exacerbating those very circumstances).
The amorphous nature of Movements ensures that there may be sub strands or variants participating. Align with and internal loyalty to core polestar tenants key, not the optics from an external ‘other’ point of view.
Wherever Movements successfully assumed political control after infiltration they swept aside traditional, conventional political behavior. Wherever Movements failed? They co-mingled with existing norms and thus lost ideological dynamism, self-generating radicalism and members.
All of the above summarizes our long running conversation. Professional elected Democrats and pundit class still don’t understand what they’re seeing. Consumed by frisson of tactical minutiae. Lessons learned the hard way.
Let’s turn to the Movement’s next steps. Where are they?