Not Easy Being Green A NEW POLITICAL PARTY LANDS ON GROUNDS by Puja Seam photo courtesy of ASEAC The 1996 American presidential election brought the emerging Green Party to the attention of America, as well as the rest of the world, with its nomination of consumer watchdog Ralph Nader for President. They succeeded in placing Nader's name on 21 state ballots and as an official write-in name on 23 others. The Green Party -- with chapters in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America -- has been expanding since its founding in Germany as Die Grünen in the 1970s. Established in response to the refusal of traditional political parties to adequately address environmental concerns, the Greens, as they are often called, have expanded their platform; they address issues beyond the environment, much like any other political group. Yet the party is still environmental in that they believe the "continued existence as a species depends on a safe work place, a healthy community, and a clean environment." The Green Party considers itself a decentralized local party that adheres to no single ideology but stands alongside socialism, capitalism, liberalism, and communitarianism. According to the Green Party of California, there is a need for the "complete restructuring of social, cultural, and political life, especially in developing countries." What makes the Green Party unique compared to traditional political parties is its internationally-applicable philosophies that transcend national boundaries and social classes. In the United States the Green Party is seen as a radical, alternate political group, while the rest of the world views the Greens as a more mainstream and viable political party. In Europe alone the Green Party is politically active in over 28 countries. Campaign finance reform is one major issue the American Greens support. Because this issue consumes much of America's traditional political scene today, it serves to demonstrate that the Green Party is very much in tune with America's concerns. They advocate a maximum contribution to a candidate of $100 per person or group in order to make politics more accessible to the general citizenry. They criticize both Republicans and Democrats for accepting exorbitant contributions from both foreign and domestic interests, accusing both parties of selling out to corporate interests. In addition to campaign finance reform, the Greens support general election restructuring with measures such as proportional representation, equal media access for all candidates, a shorter campaign season, a single primary day, and the elimination of alternate party restrictions. In short, Greens in America are running against the traditional two-party system. The Green Party also proposes a return of state and federal resources to the local level and a global redistribution of wealth. More specifically, the Green Party has ten key values: ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, decentralization, community-based economics, feminism, respect for diversity, personal and global responsibility, and future focus or sustainability. Within the Green Party there are two factions: the Movement and the Party. The Movement believes in strict adherence to certain principles and sees anything less than the complete implementation of these goals as unacceptable. The Party, on the other hand, is less activist-oriented than the Movement and tries to reconcile business interests, environmental interests, and community interests with their principles. Paul DeMaio, founder of the university's Green Party, says that Greens at the university could best be described as following along with the Movement faction: "It is hard for college groups to get involved politically, so we tend to be more activist." DeMaio established the Green Party at the beginning of this semester after working with the Greens of Virginia. He says that response to the group has been "sporadic," but encouraging since many of the people that have expressed interest had not been involved with any of the environmental groups on grounds. DeMaio said he is thinking of disbanding the Greens on grounds and forming a "Green Front" of university environmental groups to foster cooperation among Students for Environmental Action, Student Alliance for Virginia's Environment, and the Architecture Students Environmental Action Committee. He also said that progressive groups on grounds such as Students for Animal Rights, the National Organization of Women, and the Students' Labor Action Committee are discussing uniting under an "umbrella movement" in order to have more of a voice in the university's conservative student body. On Earth Day, April 22, DeMaio is sponsoring International Bicycle Unity '97, a half hour bike ride beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Rotunda and continuing through grounds. International Bicycle Unity '97 is organized to support bicycle safety, to promote the environmental benefits of cycling, and to make cities more aware of the needs of cyclists, namely adding bike lanes. Originally, International Bicycle Unity '97 was planned as a collegiate event that would simultaneously begin in time zones across the United States, but according to DeMaio, the U.S. was unresponsive: "America is just not as bicycle friendly as the rest of the world." When the idea was discussed with other international cycling groups, however, the reaction was more positive. Thirteen cities around the world will be participating in International Bicycle Unity '97 on April 22. The Greens have also contributed to the mass e-mailings petitioning for the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act before Congress. ISTEA addresses additional funding for alternate transportation sources such as bicycle and pedestrian paths. The Green Party endeavors to stay away from the stereotypical image of politics, considering the apparently implicit corruption of traditional politics. When asked to place the Greens on the political spectrum, DeMaio quoted one of the German founders: "Neither left nor right, but forward." For contact info email: humorme@virginia.edu.

back to Decweb main