Coffee Lair Tuesday, October 27, 2009 4th Civic engagement, involvement in associations, political commitment Hosted by Christian Weiss
motivation to engage
- they are diverse. By altruism for some (es), to serve others and not his own, personal ambition for others, be 1; also by ideology, religious or political, for example, or to enjoy personal benefits. The commitment to service and a priori for the good of others, can quickly move away from these statements of intent. There are abuses, there are too many and in many areas, including associations.
- Before entering a personal introspection should be made prior to the commitment, to be clear with yourself and with those to which the commitment is made. Lie first self What''s what I want, for what, for whom ... ? What are my motivations? Are they consistent with what I am, with the goals of the association in which I agree, for example.
- Commit is interested in others, reach out to others, to listen to them, receive too
- is also sharing beliefs with others, knowing that nothing can change alone.
- Commit is an act of citizenship, engaging in public life, the res publica.
- for some (s), individual action is sufficient and daily commitment value, no need to enter a system
COMMITMENT: a political act?
- it is a political act within the meaning of the word, whatever it is voluntary commitment, political ... or by private citizen his daily acts, including how to eat or not eat ...
- is having the courage to expose themselves to others, knowing that only you can not get there and if nobody agrees ... It is also likely to be disappointed.
- = strong public pressure to influence operative approach decisions with political parties over
- example: AMAP: it helps to think outside the usual consumption being proposed (imposed), consume local products healthy, meeting producers and consumers ... but it bothers politicians and their positions vis-à-vis traders, particularly supermarkets with which they agree willingly extensions ...
- a snowflake on a branch, no effect, but if 50 000, the branch breaks (the union is strength).
HOW INVOLVED?
- no standard gauge for engagement. This may be a personal initiative, or get through acquaintances, friends ...
- difficulties in making the right choice, for example joining a political party.
VALUE OF COMMITMENT
- have a strong civil society, the powers-cons
- for some (s), individual action is sufficient and daily commitment value (if everyone did ... ), no need to return to a system of representation. Enough small victories to advance
- for other, collective action is irreplaceable, especially in the fight against injustice, a taste of power, money ... The individual single-handedly can change a society in depth. And today more than ever, social, environmental, political .... are gigantic.
- engaging in union life, being a judge of the Labour Court to defend and restore the rights of employees in France, restore injustice, do so voluntarily and with professionalism is invaluable, and another
form of engagement - being elected socialist and pay ISF ? Consistency?
- Rahbi Pierre: "I'm doing my part"
- the service must come from the grassroots, not dropped, see the Estates General, the third state in 1789. Back to basics that democracy is based.
A CRISIS OF COMMITMENT? HOW OBJECTIVE get informed?
- I am not able to sufficiently inform me, or access is not given me. Example of the Referendum on Europe. How to think critically, to form an opinion allowing an informed choice without knowing the necessary information? Seems like everything is done so that people do not know a minimum. However, it is possible to read the Treaty, access to information, seek the most objective and comprehensive, this is also involved. But everyone he means? It may not be accessible to everyone .. And if the purpose, precisely, was to keep people in a certain ignorance? The education that parents can give their children can develop critical thinking very young, intellectual curiosity, a sense of commitment but again this is not the case in all families. The social level is a criterion? And school plays she that role?
- trade union action has still its value, but the rate of unionization is about 6 to 8% in France today (when he was around 40% after the war). Why such a leak of commitment as employees' rights are ever violated, that the social decline are increasing at the same time as plant closings, relocations ... ?
- in politics, a crisis of confidence with respect to high elected officials, those who represent us. To think that once one is elected, we enter the mold of power, party politics, the love of money ...
- want it all changes, whether in union politics. Frustration
that civil society can not carry more weight. Example of the privatization of the Post, EDF ... the power to decide against the majority opinion. But the problem is that we continue to elect these same elected officials. Why not let there be no chance for a party whose program meets the values that the majority of the population sucks? Are they afraid of change at this point? Example of Iceland is a country on its knees financially today, whose population has thrown out Liberal MPs yesterday that led to bankruptcy and who served the economic powers, which are turning to the left parties like the Greens, for example. But what a poisoned chalice for those elected. Do not expect the crisis, or rather the intensification of the crisis to make the right choice.
- value of the ballot. For some (are) no more, for others the contrary, this is where change will come ... and unfortunately also by new social and ecological crises. But if I do not vote, others will do in my place
- finding that people are asleep by the media, especially television, and that politicians use and abuse. Effects of Com replace the decisions and debates of substance.
- imitation phenomenon of social classes to the lifestyle of the rich. These operate perfectly this aspiration for their profits.
- Marx said that "everything enrichissemnt can only come from work" and Albert Jacquard also described the adverse effects of financial abuses, including the percentage compared with accumulated interest ... The money keeps the world. Opt for a cooperative bank, ok, allows a choice of different consumer. Bp but very few offers. The cooperative credit ok, but still belongs to the Banque Populaire. And mutual banks went like other financial markets. Drift, absence of controls, against powers, ...
- looting of African resources by Western to the detriment of the people: how many children have never drunk a glass of clean water?
- where is the intellectual today, that criticizes ... ? There is a lack of street performers (jugglers, uh, humor), poets, dreamers.
- fair trade: is it really? Question remains open.
- debate on national identity: who is going to rise? Who will go in the street? Oppose? Prevent them from holding the debates? Who will denounce the unhealthy substance of this debate?
- do not underestimate the ability of multinationals to get organic. Already the concept of sustainable development leads to incredible abuses and manipulations
(Report written by Patrick Knorr)
Special Elections, 2006 on. Ah, these Congolese families of those who think, but why ask me a question like that? But I confess that by dint of thinking (and not to think about it), I told myself why not make some kind of study on this? 
