For years, I've been trying to grapple with the difference between "allyship" and traditional coalition politics in various ways. Generally, I've gotten the most mileage out of pointing out that "allyship" demands a set of ideological commitments, while coalition membership really just demands that you vote for the party most of the time and strike a balance between rooting for the team and standing on your individual conscience. Coalitions seek to make progress one wedge at a time, weathering setbacks by simply holding on to a large and diverse partisan majority that can occasionally make one big swing while also having the internal flexibility to make lots of deals with the minority. But the "allies" envision their effort as a long crusade to amalgamate enough wedges to win a final victory that cements an apotheosis of progressive policy.
But "Omnicause" gives the ideological purity test element a more tangible embodiment in a way that that long-winded explanation of mine just can't.
I get a sense of belonging and purpose out of my YIMBY group membership. There have been occasional times when that sense has been strained when I see members trying to be pushing the group toward the Omnicause, of which I subscribe to some parts. Thank you for speaking up about this.
There are sometimes debates about rent control, too, and I am glad all comers feel welcome even if I have my own beliefs.
Just look how successfully 15 minute cities (a conservative project in its genesis) were painted as WEF "you'll own nothing, and you'll be happy eating bugs in your, I mean, the people's pod", and basically post any support they could get from anyone right of center. And that includes me.
Once it became "New World Order"-coded, I couldn't get myself to support it. Even though I agree with it in principle! I have awareness of what's happening, and still! That's the risk of coding policies that could have broad support.
***
By the way, I'm YIMBY and communitarian, some of us exist :).
I *LOVE* this new term, "Omnicause".
For years, I've been trying to grapple with the difference between "allyship" and traditional coalition politics in various ways. Generally, I've gotten the most mileage out of pointing out that "allyship" demands a set of ideological commitments, while coalition membership really just demands that you vote for the party most of the time and strike a balance between rooting for the team and standing on your individual conscience. Coalitions seek to make progress one wedge at a time, weathering setbacks by simply holding on to a large and diverse partisan majority that can occasionally make one big swing while also having the internal flexibility to make lots of deals with the minority. But the "allies" envision their effort as a long crusade to amalgamate enough wedges to win a final victory that cements an apotheosis of progressive policy.
But "Omnicause" gives the ideological purity test element a more tangible embodiment in a way that that long-winded explanation of mine just can't.
Cheers!
Great article Brad. I've called this 'Activist Mission Creep' for a while and I'm convinced YIMBYism has been successful because they've avoided it.
I get a sense of belonging and purpose out of my YIMBY group membership. There have been occasional times when that sense has been strained when I see members trying to be pushing the group toward the Omnicause, of which I subscribe to some parts. Thank you for speaking up about this.
There are sometimes debates about rent control, too, and I am glad all comers feel welcome even if I have my own beliefs.
Just look how successfully 15 minute cities (a conservative project in its genesis) were painted as WEF "you'll own nothing, and you'll be happy eating bugs in your, I mean, the people's pod", and basically post any support they could get from anyone right of center. And that includes me.
Once it became "New World Order"-coded, I couldn't get myself to support it. Even though I agree with it in principle! I have awareness of what's happening, and still! That's the risk of coding policies that could have broad support.
***
By the way, I'm YIMBY and communitarian, some of us exist :).
"lost any support", not "post".