The Party of Others
platform
1. INTRODUCTION
•The intrinsic value of animals and nature is the basis of the future society
•The Party of Others – an advocate for those without a voice
•Statement of principles
2. SOCIETY BELONGS TO ALL
• Community of species
• From exploitation to the principle of reciprocity
• Silent voices must be listened to in decision making
• From representatives of people to representatives of species
• Legislation
3. THE POLITICS OF WITHDRAWAL
• Sharing produces happiness
• Population growth down
• An alternative for economic growth
• Declaration of the rights of animals and nature
4 CULTURE AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE
• Equality and accepting diversity
• Shaping concepts
• Developing the inter-species understanding
• Critical media education
• Art as a tool for reinforcing paradigm shift
1. INTRODUCTION
The intrinsic value of animals and nature is the basis of the future society. Despite the fact that science and art as well as philosophy have been questioning the differentiation between man and nature for a long time, it is not until recently – due to the threat of climate change – that environmental issues have strongly risen to mainstream politics. It became clear that preserving nature is also in man’s own interest and that striving for sustainable development is a necessary correction in avoiding the threats. Yet despite the ideology of sustainable development, the use of nature and animals as financial resource for a basis of the current structure of society has not been questioned in mainstream politics. The society is still divided into us and them: those of material value and those of intrinsic value.
The question of animal rights and the intrinsic value of nature is, however, a logical continuation for the expansion of the ethical circle witnessed in the cases of slaves, women, children and sexual minorities. Accepting these human groups as full-fledged members of the society has required effort from both the groups in question as well as from those speaking out for them. Alongside the politics of protecting the interests of one’s own kind, there has always been a tradition of speaking for others. When it comes to animals and nature, the issue differs from the before mentioned in that they don’t have even a theoretical access to the discourse of political decision making carried out through language. Therefore the consideration of the needs and interests of other species relies solely on those speaking on their behalf.
The Party of Others believes that after an environmental awakening the society must be prepared to accept, even on the level of daily politics, the challenge posed to us by the question of the rights of animals and nature. It should be prepared to do so despite the fact that the issue radically questions many of the current cultural conventions. The challenge must be accepted even though it is, in many ways, too difficult to solve within the current circumstances. The transition into an ecosystem-centric world that respects the intrinsic value of other species requires the redefining of the relationship between man and nature in all aspects of life and society. The objective of the Party of Others is to create conditions for a cultural change that enables the creation of a world that is more sustainable and takes all members of the society into consideration. Thus the Party of Others platform places equal value on changing cultural attitudes and media criticism as it does on concrete updates of the legislation.
The Party of Others – speaking for the voiceless
The Party of Others speaks for all those who don’t have a voice in social decision making but who are nevertheless affected by the decisions: production animals, pets, wild animals, natural diversity as well as ecosystems such as rivers, swamps, mountains or forests. The Party of Others drives for structural changes to all stages of common decision making so that the consideration of these silent parties would become a necessary phase in all social decision making processes. The Party of Others also shows support for the people in our society whose voice is silent or suppressed: convicts, asylum seekers, children, foreigners or the mentally challenged. The issue of the animals’ and nature’s right to existence forces us to act on the behalf of others even when it limits our own freedom. Therefore the Party of Others can be seen as an advocate of altruistic politics. The Party of Others believes that instead of through campaigning for one’s own interests, all encompassing communal good is achieved through working toward a culture of giving and speaking for others. The basis of the Party of Others politics is not the demand: what is in it for me? but rather the question: what do you need? Thus the strive for constructive communication and understanding the circumstances of others becomes the basis of political activity.
The Party of Others functions on two fronts. On one hand it aims at producing utopias of a world in which the interests of animals and nature have been genuinely considered, without avoiding even radical suggestions to change our current social organisation. Solutions to problems that seem impossible can only be found through uninhibited imagination. Due to the fact that animals and natural destinations can not raise their own needs into political discourse, means of imagining future scenarios from their point of view are needed alongside the argumentation relying on scientific objectivity. Artists, philosophers and other masters of imagination play a central role in the Party of Others. The question ”how does it feel to be someone else” must be lifted to the forefront of political activity. As well as fact-based arguments, decision makers should be required to have the ability and will to put themselves in the position of others. It is the only way of achieving politics in which the common good does not override the need of an individual. On the other hand, the Party of Others aims at influencing contemporary politics by creating discourse on the needs and interests of animals and nature and by actively seeking solutions for directing the current decision making and legislation toward a more animal and nature centric emphasis.
The basis for the Party of Others politics is an ecosystem-centric view of the world and the fact that our community covers a multiple range of species. The Party of Others believes that the measure of a community should be the welfare of its weakest member.
The party platform
The Party of Others platform is a draft of the matters and points of view that a party promoting the rights of animals and nature should, if founded, consider and pursue in national politics in Finland in 2011.
It is utopian in the sense that many of its suggestions are in contradiction with the current social structures yet it is possible in the sense that fantasy is always a step towards reality. The statement of principles has been compiled based on discussions had in January 2011 with Adjunct Professor Elisa Aaltola, Professor of Environmental Politics Yrjö Haila, Researcher Aleksi Neuvonen, Academy Research Fellow Markku Oksanen, animal activist Kristo Muurimaa, Author Antti Nylen, Executive Director of the Finnish Nature League Leo Stranius, Attorney Joonia Streng, author and Attorney Jarkko Tontti, Executive Director of Animalia Salla Tuomivaara, Environmental Philosopher Leena Vilkka as well as PhD Birgitta Wahlberg. Based on the discussions, the statement of principles has been compiled by Terike Haapoja. The programme does not represent the opinions of the interviewees nor Haapoja as such but is a compilation of the suggestions and views that emerged in the conversations. The Party of Others statement of principles is open for further development.
2. SOCIETY BELONGS TO ALL
Community of species
The concept of community generally refers to a human community only. However, other species are factually present in this community and form an organic part of it. Human politics has a concrete impact on the lives and future of these silent and invisible members. A central objective of the Party of Others is to make these members of the community visible and their voices heard. The Politics of the Others derives from the notion that a community is no longer a group of similar people but is formed of all those present in it. Thus also other species as well as the groups of people without influence belong to the community. The Party of Others aims at developing social planning in a way that enables the peaceful and respectful co-existence of people and other species.
From exploitation to the principle of reciprocity
The basis of the Party of Others politics is the aim for reciprocity in the relationships between humans and other species. Interaction with other species must be based on benefitting both parties and respecting the intrinsic value of nature and animals. This means replacing the current types of animal industry, scientific research based on animal experimentation as well as trades such as fur farming with farming based on reciprocity and sustainable land usage, developing the service economy as well as with developing research methods free of animal experiments.
From representatives of people to representatives of species
In representative democracy, the population chooses a representative to drive its interests within a political system. Animals and nature are incapable of choosing such a representative for themselves. Animals and other species form a massive group of multiple beings the interests of which can not be defined through general concepts such as ”animal” or ”nature”. When talking about the interests of animals and nature we should note that the needs and rights are varied. The Party of Others believes that in order to maintain a versatile discussion, a group of varied voices from the circles of science and nature preservation to art and philosophy as vast as possible should be listened to when defining the needs of animals and nature. The most important criteria for a representative of animals and nature are that the representative’s relationship to animals or natural areas is free of financial or other interests and that he or she attempts to see matters from the viewpoint of the species she or he represents.
Silent voices must be listened to in decision making
The Party of Others aims at developing models for structures through which animals and nature would gain a voice in social decision making. Examples of such could be establishing the position of an animal ombudsman, quotas of representatives looking out for the interests in the parliament and its organisations as well as key prosecutors specialising in questions of animal rights. The objective is to ensure that the point of view of animals and nature will be heard in all issues of social planning and that they have true say in decision making.
Legislation
Legislation should be altered so that it guarantees animals and nature fundamental protection against abuse seeking financial gain. This means the redefining of the rights of animals and nature in the constitution and specifying the species- and case-specific legislation so that each animal species will have a secured possibility for a valuable life with attention paid to species-specific requirements. Alternatives for animals and nature being under people’s ownership, granting species-specific basic rights or recording the concept of intrinsic value in animal and nature preservation legislation thus limiting exploitation must be worked upon.
3. THE POLITICS OF WITHDRAWAL
Sharing produces happiness
The Party of Others believes that rather than through the pursuit of one’s own interests, long-term happiness is gained through the experience of sharing and good deeds. Therefore the Party of Others emphasises the actions based on the principles of sharing, giving space and respecting the needs of others. Making space for the needs of other species thus also means that people have to give back some of the living space taken from other species and accept the needs of other species to claim living space. The Party of Others believes that the knowledge of the fact that the other species belonging to the society are well and allowed to pursue their interests provides people alike with happiness far more sustainable than financial gain.
Population growth down
In addition to the culture of consumerism, one of the highest risks to the other species is the growth of the human population. Reversing the course of population growth is a prerequisite for an ecologically more sustainable economic structure as well as for the transition to a lifestyle preserving other species. The Party of Others drives politics that aim at controlling the global population growth. Issues related to family planning, adoption and fertility treatment should always also be considered from the point of view of population growth.
An alternative for economic growth
As the current economic structure based on economic growth is largely built on the exploitation of animals and nature, alternatives for this consumerist system must be actively sought. This means measures such as supporting sustainable development in tax politics, promoting organic, local and small-scale production, solution models based on communality and self-sufficiency in community planning, focusing on renewable sources of energy as well as viewing issues of land usage from an ecosystem-centric point of view.
Declaration of the rights of animals and nature
An international declaration of the rights of animals and nature should be developed alongside the global UN declarations of the human rights and the rights of women and children. The declaration would create a basis for discussion about the practical adaptations of the rights of animals and nature on a regional scale. The Party of Others advocates the development of the declaration of the rights of animals and nature in cooperation with international actors.
4. CULTURE AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE
Equality and accepting diversity
Respecting the needs and interests of other species requires the skill to identify with the position of others regardless their difference as well as the ability to understand the fact that social ranks can not be derived from differences. Thus respect for the life of other species is also linked to the equality between people and the emphasis of diversity. The Party of Others believes that equality between the genders, sexual minorities, ethnicities and races, as well as immigration politics that takes global inequality into consideration go hand in hand with the transition to a more ecosystem-centric thinking.
Shaping concepts
Due to the fact that the legislation is a conceptual apparatus, The Party of Others believes that the redefining of language and concepts holds a significant position in developing a legislation that takes animals and other species into consideration. The critical study of the language concerning animals and nature must be supported. Furthermore, the basic concepts that serve as the basis for legislation should be opened up so that they would better incorporate the qualities of animals and natural phenomena. The Party of Others emphasises the possibilities of linguistics, philosophy and poetry to renew the language behind legislation.
Developing the inter-species understanding
The current education system and culture teaches us to see animals and nature on one hand as exotic and distant phenomena yet on the other hand as material for our nutrition and commodities. The Party of Others believes that a respectful attitude towards animals and nature is developed through personal contact and communication that has developed ever since childhood. The subjects of animal ethics and environmental ethics should be studied throughout the elementary schooling. Education should focus on the different types of inter-species contact and support children’s ability to develop and discover different forms of communication and understanding with animals and natural phenomena. To support this, special nurseries and primary schools should be established to allow children to have contact with various species of animals and plants and to learn what respectful co-existence with them can mean in practice.
Critical media education
A change in attitudes aiming at the respect of animals and nature is based on sufficient knowledge about other species and their living conditions. Media and various communities must be given the vast freedom to document and report the living conditions in production and laboratory circumstances in order to make public discussion on the ethics of the current practices possible. The Party of Others believes that the privacy policy and the protection of property must not prevent the public handling of significant ethical issues. Media education must teach how to recognise messages that undermine animals and other species or normalise the exploitation of them, It should also aim to expose the connections between news about animals and economic interests.
Art as a space for imagining other worlds
Art plays a central role in the politics of The Party of Others. Art provides a means of critically viewing the normalised customs and methods of the modern culture in a way which is not possible in practical politics stemming from the prevailing circumstances. Art is also an important tool of articulating the possible worlds and bringing them to the discussion. Yet first and foremost, art has the power to create and offer different viewpoints into reality to be experienced and thereby offer routes to finding out how it would be like to be someone or something else.
