Or says writes Dana Fisher, Columbia sociologist and author of a new book on how ?the outsourcing of grassroots campaigns is strangling progressive politics in America.? Fisher contrasts the largely volunteer efforts and ?naturally occurring community groups? that sustain Republican political organizations with Democrats? reliance on ?artificial, virtual networks and professional canvassers.? Part of the problem with the latter, she argues, is their much-vaunted youthfulness:
The Democratic Party and left-leaning political groups rely on outside organizations to hire young people who recruit members, collect funds, and contact constituents through quota-based pay systems. Since many hires don’t have strong ties to the places where they work, this approach to gaining support and getting out the vote fails to capitalize on existing personal bonds among like-minded Democrats.
These young foot soldiers can burn out easily because they often don’t get to connect with local Democratic institutions, such as labor and environmental groups that have strong roots in the community. Other Democratic activists, meanwhile, don’t form nourishing relationships with regional or national progressive groups because their own local political network has become so atrophied.
Republicans enjoy an advantage because of what might be called a spontaneous order. Who would have thought it?
