How do we measure success? The experimental value of OWS
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Transcript of How do we measure success? The experimental value of OWS
How do we measure success?The experimental value of OWS
By Silas Harrebye
Typological dimensions
What are we talking about?
From Thomas Thorhauge, Kom Hjem
ONE defintion of the public sphere:
• A public sphere emerges when people come together to debate political issues that involve the nature and constitution of political authority.
Social struggles for justice
Circular cycles of contention
GrumblingTriggers
Mobilisation
Tipping Point
(Imediate effect)
Decline
(Long term impact)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIK7uxBSAS0
So what is the experimental value of OWS?
Things can always be otherwise.Therefore every order is based on the exclusion of other possibilities. Including an orderly public sphere. OWS had democratic legitimacy, not only because it (supposedly) represented the 99%, it also had democratic value because people dared to experiment with how the public sphere might also look like, feel like and sound like.
And… as its true of all experiments: Failure also adds value. It reveals weaknesses and makes you stronger. And, maybe, more humble.
But was OWS a success? That depends on one’s success criteria and entails a discussion about the possibility to even measure the impact of contentious politics and social innovation…