The danger of Green parties, and “green” movements generally, is their ill-defined ideology or political philosophy. I was very active in the Green Party of Canada, when it was new to the country, and saw first hand the vagueness and confusion surrounding political philosophy. And in most places in the world, it seems, that vagueness has descended into fascist collaboration, to put it bluntly.
Greens and environmentalists have been a mixed bag for decades, encompassing liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and more than a few anarchists and socialists. But in most places, the political philosophy has remained vague, in part, for this reason of widely divergent ideologies within the parties and movements. The problem of vague political philosophy is that it can be co-opted to support nearly anything, including fascism - and that is exactly what has happened.
If Green parties or environmental movements want to retain credibility, they need to clarify their political philosophy, and be clear and firm on where they stand on key issues, such as human rights, freedom and constitutional democracy. If they do not take a firm and clear stand on these, then they are in danger of unwittingly, or consciously, supporting eco-fascism - which is precisely what has happened to the majority of the environmental movement.
Pause to reflect. You are destroying the credibility and reputation of a once-valiant environmental movement.
J. Todd Ring,
November 8, 2021