In which I simultaneously agree and disagree with the Idealistic Pragmatist

The Idealistic Pragmatist comes up with some reasons for progressive-minded people to fail to be terrified of the prospect of a Harper government.  I think she's partially right in that I also can't be bothered to cry.  But I disagree with some of her reasons:

Idealistic Pragmatist: It's NOT the policy, stupid. Oh, I absolutely believe the current incarnation of the Conservatives and the current incarnation of the Liberals are different. Stephen Harper's Conservatives are dangerous on policy, but Paul Martin's Liberals are just plain dangerous. And when the differences of opinion are about policy rather than about political culture, then there's actually a chance in hell of reasonable discussion and compromise.

In the past on this blog and elsewhere, I have stated my decided preference to corruption over malice.  Harper's history in Canadian politics has been the very picture of mainstream reactionaritude and active political malice towards progressive ideas, particularly on economics and foreign policy.  Perhaps the fact that Harper must form a government with deputies who didn't original subscribe to the Reformist reaction may temper his actions in government somewhat, but I'm doubtful that there is that much scope for "reasonable discussion and compromise."  It is at least more possible to negotiate with opportunists (which is what Liberals have been).

The flip side of the coin is this, though:

Any country that claims to have a "natural governing party" already has a rather substantial problem. But if we're going to live in a country doomed to one-party-rule for most of its future existence--and until we change the voting system, we may well be--then I damn well want that party to be something I can stomach. Right now it's not, but it could be, and for that, they need a little time out once in a while. After twelve long years, the time for that is now.

Fact is, it's dangerous to have a party in power for too long, particularly when the forces of reaction have any momentum at all.  We may have actually waited too long to replace the Liberals with a "safe" Reformatory minority.  The longer the katharsis is delayed, the more painful it may very well be.

Comments

[Idealistic Pragmatist]

Hey, you led with the part that wasn't even in my post! ;-)

You might be right about the compromising. I sure hope not, though. I'd really like to see a Conservative minority government work long enough that the Liberals actually have a chance to regroup, elect a new leader, and fire all of Martin's behind-the-scenes gang.

-J