How the left is doing better in Europe than in America

Thomas J. Scott, Truthout - Unlike the United States, democracies in the European Union are witnessing the emergence of social movements that are pushing back against political elites who cater to financial interests that have threatened the social safety nets commonly found in many European parliamentary systems. In Spain, Italy, Greece, and to a lesser extent, Portugal, grassroots movements have emerged to challenge the entrenched politics of representative democracy that does not represent the people. Podemos in Spain, Syriza in Greece, and M5S in Italy have transcended establishment politics and stimulated citizen agency in participatory protest and collective decision-making. These movements are indicative of the growing mistrust of governments that have been hijacked by plutocratic interests. In response, the majority is organizing to take back democracy for the people.

Borrowing from the theories of Ernesto Laclau, these movements are attempting to expose the antagonistic elements of political elites' hegemonic power in two ways: first, through opposition to austerity measures associated with neoliberalism that have reduced the rights of workers, cut social programs and privatized publicly owned institutions; and second, through their mobilization of potentially disaffected citizens who are organizing to effect change that is truly connected to the common good. As Donatella della Porta has observed, the left in these European countries is "maintaining a connection between social movements and political (i.e. party) representation in the defense of rights that rulers have defined as outdated, but which citizens still consider as essential."

Unlike the Occupy Wall Street Movement that captivated the United States in 2011, the European social movements against neoliberalism appear to have staying power. Occupy Wall Street lacked a coherent set of political goals and was devoid of visionary, charismatic leadership. Further, it was not able to incorporate its direct democracy methodology into pragmatic party politics. Podemos, Syriza and the M5S, however, have been able to mobilize social movements against austerity and integrate their political objectives into nascent political parties that offer voters a clear alternative to the mainstream, political establishment in Spain, Greece and Italy. As Philippe Aigrain points out:

"The new movements are rooted in the personal expression of individuals, but they are no means individual in the neoliberal sense. They aim to develop communities based on friendship, shared interests, practices or neighborhoods, and whose products are under commons statute."