Renewing the Struggle: Obstacles and Opportunities for Progressive Intervention

Abstract

This paper is divided into two parts. The first part is a look - at how we in Bukluran sa Ikauunlad ng Sosyalistang Isip at Gawa (BISIG) look at and assess the state of the progressive movement in the country. The second part dwells on what we see as the possible directions, arenas for struggle, and pressure points for political intervention for BISIG in particular and for the mass movement in general. It outlines the processes that the progressive movement should take in order to maximize its strengths and minimize its weaknesses. Although this part will deal mostly on such a process, it does not prescribe ready-made strategies and tactics for the whole left movement. We feel that what is important is to have a process for an honest in-depth assessment of the crisis of the left, an accounting of the strengths and weaknesses of not only the individual organizations and coalitions but also of the progressive movement as a whole.