Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it.
I am spending a lot of time holed up in a hotel room in Toronto working on a research project while the TV provides ambient noise in the background.
However, one social activist caught my eye. She was passionate, well researched, articulate, etc. You name the cause: poverty, social justice, environment, health care, workers’ rights, animal rights, etc. No matter what the issue, you will most likely find a bevy of zealots ready to fall on their swords for the cause.
Don’t misunderstand me. These folk provide (mostly) a valuable service in democratic societies acting as the voice for peoples and causes that are not accurately represented by the institutions in society.
But I can’t help but wonder what would be the outcome if these empassioned zealots turned their proverbial guns on the issue of economic development. After all, without some form of economy, the rest is kinda moot, at least in some weird way.
I seriously doubt that there is much rumination among the environmentalists about the state of the economy in New Brunswick. On campus, I don’t expect much talk about capital formation, labour migration and foriegn direct investment at the Greenpiece monthly meetings.
No, that’s left to those business guys. Those dewy-eyed dragon slayers in the rumpled suits.
‘Cept those guys are out for #1. If it fits their agenda, fine. If not, the almighty markets have ruled.
So, how about a fusion of economy and activist? Dreadlocks and job creation. Fight the power!
On the other hand, I started working too early this AM and had too much coffee. Delusion is setting in.