I think that in specific cases like this (e.g. reduce rodenticide use), where there’s no obvious partisan side to the issue, and it doesn’t come pre-polarized in the public mind, and most politicians and voters haven’t even heard of the issue or thought about it, then there’s a totally reasonable case for EA promotion of the cause at a political level.
I was mostly concerned about EA avoiding issues that are already partisan-polarized, already controversial, and already subject to pressure from vested interests with a lot of power and money.
More generally, I think it might be helpful to recruit and influence people who are already active in political life to adopt EA values and views as part of their ‘private persona’—as long as we don’t form explicit public alliances with organized political parties or partisan movements. For example, if some EA group in Washington DC wanted to do more outreach to smart young Congressional staffers (of both parties!), that could be quite helpful in terms of EA perspectives informing the behind-the-scenes thinking and priorities of Congressional Representatives.
Or if EAs want to pursue political careers as potential high-impact ways to promote EA initiatives, that could be great—as long as they avoid overly explicit ‘EA branding’ in their campaigns.
I just think we have to be very careful not to appear overtly allied with any political party. For many potential intersection of EA and politics, that might be very difficult—but for some (e.g. rodenticide use), it might be quite easy.
More generally, I think it might be helpful to recruit and influence people who are already active in political life to adopt EA values and views as part of their ‘private persona’—as long as we don’t form explicit public alliances with organized political parties or partisan movements.
Yes, I think this. I don’t see much point to having people elected or doing political interventions in the name of EA. But many object that even getting people who happen to be EAs into politics is too corrupting because, for example, they fundraise among EAs and their friends get partisan when supporting them.
For example, if some EA group in Washington DC wanted to do more outreach to smart young Congressional staffers (of both parties!)
Many consider this dangerously close to spinning the message to try to appeal to politicians.
Completely agree about not getting into encumbering alliances at the movement level.
Hi Holly,
I think that in specific cases like this (e.g. reduce rodenticide use), where there’s no obvious partisan side to the issue, and it doesn’t come pre-polarized in the public mind, and most politicians and voters haven’t even heard of the issue or thought about it, then there’s a totally reasonable case for EA promotion of the cause at a political level.
I was mostly concerned about EA avoiding issues that are already partisan-polarized, already controversial, and already subject to pressure from vested interests with a lot of power and money.
More generally, I think it might be helpful to recruit and influence people who are already active in political life to adopt EA values and views as part of their ‘private persona’—as long as we don’t form explicit public alliances with organized political parties or partisan movements. For example, if some EA group in Washington DC wanted to do more outreach to smart young Congressional staffers (of both parties!), that could be quite helpful in terms of EA perspectives informing the behind-the-scenes thinking and priorities of Congressional Representatives.
Or if EAs want to pursue political careers as potential high-impact ways to promote EA initiatives, that could be great—as long as they avoid overly explicit ‘EA branding’ in their campaigns.
I just think we have to be very careful not to appear overtly allied with any political party. For many potential intersection of EA and politics, that might be very difficult—but for some (e.g. rodenticide use), it might be quite easy.
Yes, I think this. I don’t see much point to having people elected or doing political interventions in the name of EA. But many object that even getting people who happen to be EAs into politics is too corrupting because, for example, they fundraise among EAs and their friends get partisan when supporting them.
Many consider this dangerously close to spinning the message to try to appeal to politicians.
Completely agree about not getting into encumbering alliances at the movement level.