THE WAY FORWARD - Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America - page 190

Using the commons as a prism for conceptualizing how we live together in an increasingly crowded
world offers an affirmative vision for creating a more equitable and sustainable society. It provides a coun-
tervailing force to the selfish, profit-driven mind-set that rules our culture and political system. In all of
our work, we need to promote a more humanistic and environmentally friendly future. We need a new and
inspirational frame that can be used in our work—from academia to grassroots organizing.
Jay Walljasper, author of All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons , says:
The commons is more than just a nice idea; it encompasses a wide set of practical measures that offer fresh hope
for a saner, safer, more enjoyable future. At the heart of the commons are four simple principles, which have
been practiced by humans for millennia: 1) serving the common good; 2) ensuring equitable use of what be-
longs to us all; 3) promoting sustainable stewardship so that coming generations are not cheated and imperiled;
4) creating practical ways for people to participate in decisions shaping their future. 9
Maude Barlow, former UN adviser on water and a leader in the progressive movement, speaks of its im-
portance: “The commons as a concept is pure gold because it bridges the solitudes and silos that divide us.
Bringing together food, farm, and justice advocates to understand one another's work and perspective is
crucial. All parts of the progressive movement have to dream into being—together—the world they know
is possible and not settle for small improvements to the one we have. This means working for a whole
different economic, trade, and development model even while fighting the abuses existing in the current
one.” 10
Building Political Power
Our movement must deepen and expand the strategy for moving people to political action. It must join
with the broader progressive movement to organize across the country in each state and in a majority of
congressional districts. There are no shortcuts to building the long-term political power to reclaim our food
system, our democracy, our commons.
We must organize and mobilize people around the issues that affect their lives and their families. Be-
cause most people come to politics via their interest in an issue, and based on a perceived self-interest,
food-related issues could play an important role in changing politics and encouraging civic engagement.
As the food movement continues to grow, it can be a catalyst for action and can politicize Americans who
have not been active participants before. Food by its very nature can be part of a unifying strategy.
This can even be true in the rural areas of the country where we must build capacity if we are to work on
future Farm Bills. It requires a long-term vision of fighting for what we really want, not just the best that
can be negotiated. It means breaking our long-term goals for the future down into shorter-term, winnable
goals that help us reach the sustainable and equitable future we want.
The issues surrounding food, if framed correctly—from antibiotic resistance to food safety to reestab-
lishing a fair market—can be part of the majority strategy we need to win. This means an action plan based
on issues that a large segment of the population cares about and agrees on, when the problem is brought
to their attention. Food is already attracting large numbers of people; however, we must provide a step-by-
step road map for engaging large numbers of people in the political process, including electing people who
agree with us and holding those elected officials accountable.
We have a long history of successfully organizing for social change. All of the movements of the past
began from people fighting to seek concrete improvements in their lives, and eventually through mass ac-
tions altering the relations of power.