FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING THE U.S. GREENS ABROAD

WHY ME?

In the words of a Green campaign slogan: "They have corporate funders, PACs, ballot access, professional lobbyists, corporate media, and lots of rich supporters. The Greens have you." Opinion poll after opinion poll shows that the American people are clearly dissatisfied with the way politics is currently being conducted in the U.S. Democracy itself is under threat as the country increasingly comes to be ruled over by a powerful oligarchy of political and corporate elites who consistently write the rules of the game in their own favor. The result of the mindless pursuit of economic gain over all other values has led to increased environmental destruction, a growing gap between rich and poor, and mounting threats to human health, security, and overall well-being. Clearly band-aid reforms are not going to fix what's wrong with the present system. A complete overhaul is needed, and the only way this can happen is if everyone who is dissatisfied with the present situation bands together to create a viable alternative.

AREN'T THE GREENS ONLY INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?

Environmental issues are certainly an important part of the Green agenda but they are not the only part. Within the last several decades a variety of new social movements have arisen, including the civil rights movement, the feminist movement, the gay rights movement, the environmental movement, a revitalized labor movement, and many other movements for progressive political and social change whose concerns are not fully represented by either the Republicans or the Democrats. Certainly each of these movements should continue to pursue their particular agendas within the framework of the present system, but instead of simply lobbying out-of-touch politicians and corporate leaders who "just don't get it," we also need to be building a more genuinely democratic political process that devolves power away from the wealthy, elite oligarchy that currently runs the show in America and restores a political order that is genuinely of the people, by the people, and for the people. At this stage in the development of the international Green movement one of the most urgent tasks is to politically organize individuals who are already committed to social, political, and cultural change and who are able to articulate and organize a genuine political alternative. From there the Green organizing strategy is to build a broad grassroots political movement that not only wins votes and support from the majority of Americans but that also transforms our political, economic, and social institutions in ways that are more ecologically sensitive, socially just, and genuinely democratic.

I'M ALREADY PRETTY ACTIVE. HOW MUCH TIME IS INVOLVED?

As much or as little as you like. Members of the U.S. Greens Abroad can get involved--or not get involved--with the group's activities to the extent that they wish. All activities in the U.S. Greens Abroad are conducted on a purely voluntary basis. While it is true that the Greens aim to foster a participatory politics that involves people directly in the political process (rather than a "spectator politics" in which politicians run the show while the rest of us simply watch), we need the support--both active and passive--of everyone who is concerned about increased environmental degradation, rising social inequality, and a declining quality of life, and who favors the creation of a viable alternative. Whatever level of energy and involvement you can bring to the movement, whether large or small, will be welcomed and appreciated. The aim of the Greens is not to simply create yet one more organization for people to join and commit time and money to. Individuals who are presently devoting considerable time and energy to other social, political, cultural, and environmental causes can and should continue to do so. But let's do it together! Instead of simply pursuing our agendas as separate individuals and groups we can create a wider movement that links together activists working on different causes; educate each other; more effectively bring these concerns to the attention of the public at large; and ultimately use our collective activity as a springboard for wider political, social, and cultural transformation.

I'VE NEVER BEEN AN ACTIVIST BEFORE. DON'T I NEED SOME SORT OF SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS?

No. The only qualifications for joining the U.S. Greens Abroad are that you be an American citizen over the age of 18 who has lived or intends to live outside the United States for at least three months. While the Greens do seek to utilize whatever skills individuals bring with them when they join the party (to the extent that they would like to get involved), no special qualifications or previous experience is necessary. In fact, the Greens provide an excellent training ground for individuals who would like to become more actively involved in actually doing something to make the world a better place. The Greens work with and support the activities of organizations both in the U.S. and abroad which are engaged in a wide variety of environmental, social, and political issues. The Greens can help put you in touch with these organizations.

CAN I STILL BE A GREEN EVEN IF I DON'T JOIN THE U.S. GREENS ABROAD?

While the Greens are naturally interested in recruiting as many members as possible, there are a variety of ways in which people can support the Green Party even if they choose not to join the party at present. As a non-member you can ask to be put on the U.S. Greens Abroad mailing list, which will enable you to receive regular information about our activities. You can also list "Green" as your party affiliation when you register to vote, and support Green candidates in local, state, and national elections (see USGA Infosheet #10, "Information on Green Electoral Work and Candidates"). It is also possible to join a local Green group or state Green party in your home state. Individuals may also join the Greens/Green Party USA directly as an "at-large" member without becoming a member of the U.S. Greens Abroad; the Green Party of the United States has no individual memberships, but individuals can seek representation through state parties affiliated with the GPUS. There are additional Green support/advocacy groups in the United States which are open to both members and non-members of the U.S. Greens Abroad (see USGA Infosheet #5, "Information about U.S. Green Organizations").

DO I HAVE TO BE REGISTERED TO VOTE?

No. Electoral work is only one aspect of Green politics. While the Greens do run candidates for office at the local, state, and national levels, as well as encourage members to register as Greens and vote for Green candidates, some members focus on other aspects of building a viable Green movement as a matter of choice. If you are interested in voting, however, the Greens can provide information about Green candidates and on how to vote absentee (see USGA Infosheet #10, "Information about Green Electoral Work and Candidates").

SO WHAT OTHER STRATEGIES ARE GREENS USING TO TRANSFORM THE PRESENT SYSTEM?

Green strategies for transformation can be divided into five major categories: (1) Personal transformation: becoming more sensitive to the impact that our present way of life has on both the environment and on those who provide the goods and services we use; adopting more ecologically sensitive and socially concerned lifestyles; educating ourselves about our present situation and creatively imagining alternative futures; fostering various forms of Green spirituality. (2) Proactive strategies: supporting businesses and fair trade shops that are ecologically sensitive and socially just; developing economic alternatives in the form of food cooperatives, alternative currencies, and worker-owned companies; transforming our current passive consumer / entertainment culture into a genuinely participatory culture in which people are able to realize their fullest potential as human beings. (3) Reactive strategies: getting actively involved in various organizations such as environmental groups, labor unions, NGOs, and other associations working for progressive social change; petitioning and lobbying governmental agencies and corporations; engaging in legal nonviolent protests and direct action campaigns. (4) Political transformation: in addition to supporting Green candidates for office at the local, state, and national levels, also trying to increase opportunities for direct citizen participation in the political process by supporting campaign finance reform; fair treatment in the media; more forums for open debate and discussion; proportional representation; strict limitations on corporate lobbying; the increased use of referendums, plebiscites, and citizen initiatives; the creation of a truly federal system of government in which power flows from the grassroots up. (5) Media and educational work: supporting the alternative press while continuing efforts to spread the Green message in the mainstream media; engaging in practical and theoretical research on specific issues; participating in educational activities such as study groups, cultural events, and public meetings aimed at increasing public awareness about our current social and ecological crisis; engaging in genuine dialogue about the kind of society we would like to create.

IF I JOIN THE GREENS, WON'T I BE OBLIGED TO FOLLOW THE PARTY LINE?

Not at all. While the U.S. Greens Abroad is based on the Ten Key Values of the Greens (ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, decentralization, community economics, feminism, respect for diversity, personal and global responsibility, and future focus), it is recognized among the Greens that there will be a wide variety of ways in which these values are interpreted. There will also be different opinions about the specific policies and strategies that should be adopted for realizing these values in practice. The Greens actively encourage a wide diversity of perspectives within the party and encourage individuals to openly share their perspectives and concerns with each other. Participatory politics does not mean that the party purports to "represent" the interests of its members or society at large, but rather that a forum is created in which individuals are able to represent themselves. In any truly democratic forum disagreements will naturally arise. The method for resolving such disagreements, however, is neither to simply walk away nor to impose one's position on others, but rather to persuade others that the position one advocates should be adopted as the majority view. While the Greens accept the priniciple of majority rule, they also try whenever feasible to employ a consensual decision-making process which seeks to integrate minority views into their overall position. The Greens also respect the right of the minority to withdraw support from majority decisions which they are in fundamental disagreement with--if you don't agree with a particular decision you are not obliged to participate in its implementation.

WHERE DO THE GREENS STAND IDEOLOGICALLY?

The Greens do not base themselves on any particular political ideology and frequently describe themselves as being neither left nor right but straight ahead. Greens are attempting to go beyond conventional conservative-liberal, capitalist-socialist dichotomies. While the left has historically tended to favor big government and strong political control over the economy and the right has tended to favor big business and strictly limited political control over the economy, many Greens advocate the creation of a new paradigm based on decentralized political and economic institutions. In this model power flows directly from the bottom up (rather than from the top down, as is the case in our present "representative" form of democracy) and citizens themselves retain final control over both the government and the economy (from the local to the national to the global levels). Green politics is neither reformist (working within the present system) nor revolutionary (seeking to overthrow the present system) but rather transformative (trying to transform the present system in ways that make it more genuinely democratic, socially responsible, and ecologically sensitive). While there is much to be criticized in traditional conservative, liberal, socialist, and anarchist/libertarian thought, there is also much that can be learned from each of these traditions.

ARE THE GREENS LEGAL?

The Green Party is as legal as the Democratic and Republican Parties. The right to form political parties is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution (freedom of association) and the Greens are official registered in the U.S. as a legal political party. The U.S. Greens Abroad has the same status overseas as the Democrats Abroad and the Republicans Abroad. We are legally permitted to engage in activities aimed at attempting to influence U.S. policy and electing candidates into office. Since there are restrictions on the kind of political activities any foreigner living abroad can engage in, the charter of the U.S. Greens Abroad specifically states that members will only engage in activities which are legally permitted by their respective host countries.

COME ON! DO YOU REALLY THINK THE GREENS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Depends on you! Certainly things look pretty bleak if current trends are projected into the next few years and decades. In the absence of fundamental social and political change, the earth will undoubtedly suffer further ecological devastation, human health and well-being will deterioriate, wealth will becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of an elite minority, the standard of living of the middle and lower classes will continue to fall, the likelihood of global warfare will increase, and so forth. The Greens are often accused of being utopian in advocating the creation of a society based not on greed and overconsumption but on sustainable lifestyles, social justice, and concern for the environment. Surely, however, it is those who advocate unlimited economic growth regardless of the human, social, and environmental consequences who are utopian and unrealistic. The vision of the Greens is eminently achievable. Greens are neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but hopeful: a better future can be realized only if we commit ourselves to its actualization. While there is certainly much that we can accomplish as individuals there is also a genuine need for an organized political movement that challenges the status quo and aims at deep structural change in our current social, political, economic, and cultural institutions. If we continue to work separately on issues that concern all of us and fail to create a wider social and political movement (or if we cynically believe that all progressive social movements are doomed to failure in any event), we play directly into the hands of the privileged few who know that the best way for them to maintain their positions of wealth and power is to keep democratic movements for social change isolated and divided. The time is now for everyone who is concerned about building a ecologically sustainable, socially just, and genuinely democratic society to unite. Certainly if anyone has any better ideas for how we might go about creating such a society, please let us know!

WHAT CAN I ACTUALLY DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER?

People sometimes ask what they can actually do as individual members of the U.S. Greens Abroad. Here's a partial list -- please feel free to add to it! The relevant information, brochures, etc. can be obtained from the USGA Clearinghouse (see the contact info below).

- Register to vote and vote absentee

- Pass out voting info to friends and acquaintances

- Talk to friends and acquaintances about the USGA and encourage them to join

- Pass out brochures, infosheets, and newspapers from the USGA to friends and acquaintances

- Give the names and addresses of prospective members to the Clearinghouse

- Tell the USGA about other groups you are involved with and their actitivies

- Ask the USGA to endorse the actions, policies, statements of other groups you are involved with

- Encourage other groups you are involved with to officially endorse Green candidates and actions

- Invite USGA members to participate in other groups you are involved with

- Pass out brochures, infosheets, and newspapers at meetings and events you attend

- Volunteer to serve on the Coordinating Committee

- Volunteer to serve on a Working Group

- Start a new Working Group

- Study about and research Green issues

- Prepare an infosheet or other materials for distribution

- Organize a teach-in or other educational activity

- Organize a cultural event, such as a concert, poetry reading, or art exhibition

- Organize a fundraising event, such as a party or barbeque

- Write articles for publication in the USGA Newsletter or national Green publications

- Submit artwork for publication in national Green publications

- Organize letter-writing campaigns and petitions

- Organize or participate in (legal) protest marches and demos

- Lobby the U.S. government on specific issues

- Lobby American corporations on specific issues

- Organize a boycott

- Organize other campaigns on specific issues

- Issue a specific policy statement endorsed by the USGA (requires a vote of the membership)

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS AND / OR COMMENTS. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CONTACT?

In trying to get a new political movement off the ground the first step is for people to simply begin talking with each other about the problems we face together as a society and how we might go about solving them. Along the way there are bound to be many potential misconceptions and misunderstandings that need to be cleared up. If you have any further questions, comments, suggestions--or objections!--about the Greens please feel free to contact us. We would also like to hear about the particular issues that concern you and further discuss how these concerns might be effectively integrated into the Green agenda. By working together we just might be able to make a real difference! If you would like to join the U.S. Greens Abroad, please ask for an application form. If you do not wish to become a member at this time but would still like to be kept informed of our activities, please ask to be put on our mailing list. To contact the USGA Clearinghouse write to Richard Evanoff, 1933-8 Hazama-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0941 Japan or e-mail <evanoff@sipeb.aoyama.ac.jp>.