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This article is about the green parties around the world. It describes differences between green parties in a
broader sense and "Green Parties" in a narrower sense, that is formally organized political parties (and political
movements) based on the Four Pillars
of the Green Party and similar value systems (we call them Green Parties (capitalized) in the rest of this article,
whereas green parties includes parties that share only partly this common value system). This article also informs about
the history of green parties and green movements and about their
world-wide collaboration. For information about a specific Green party, see the links at the end of the article or the List
of Green party issues.
So, what is a green party? Greens generally view grassroots democracy, pacifism, and social justice causes - especially those related to the plight of indigenous peoples - as inherently related to ecology and human bodily health. Thriving of natural ecoregions, preventing global climate
change, and preserving other aspects of the natural environment (see environmentalism) are viewed as necessary to maintain human life.
Definitions
'Small-g' Green Parties
A (generic or 'small-g') green party is any contemporary political movement which springs out of concern for
the destruction of ecosystems -- "environmentalism". But such a green party is not necessarily committed to the entire program of the Green
Parties as such.
Greening
The term "green" is heavily appropriated by politicians and marketers, even used as a verb -- it's not uncommon to hear of
"greening" a party or a candidate. Typically these 'small-g greens' do not support the Green parties in all
particulars, but are movements or factions within existing or established political parties.
Green Movement
Green Parties are part of, but do not exclusively represent, a larger political movement to reform human governance to better
fit the constraints of the biosphere -- usually called the Green movement to contrast it from the electoral participation of the
legally-registered Parties.
In some countries, notably the U.S. and France, there are or have been multiple parties with differing platforms naming
themselves Green.
Many people also confuse Green Parties with Greenpeace, a global NGO prominent in the ecology movement, which was founded in the 1970s as the green parties and shares some green goals and values, but does work with different methods and isn't
organized as a political party.
'Capital-g' Green Parties
The distinction is very often made between "green parties" (generally spelled in lowercase) in a general sense of emphasizing
environmentalism, and specific organized political parties with the name "Green Party" (capitalized) that have grown up around a
statement of principles called the Four
Pillars and the consensus process built on them. The main difference between a Green Party and a 'generic or small-g' green
party is that the former, in addition to environmentalism, also stress goals of social justice and global peace. While most of
this article covers Green Parties in the later sense, the discussion of green politics touches on many issues also relevant for
'small-g' green parties.
The organized Green Parties themselves may disagree with the distinction between "green party" and "Green Party", as many
Greens argue that there is no respect for nature without peace, and no viable peace without thriving ecoregions, seeing "green" as a new coherent system of political values.
Four pillars
The four pillars or four principles of the Green Parties are:
History
In March 1972 the world's very first green party (the United Tasmania Group) was formed at a public meeting in Hobart, Australia. At
about that same time, in Atlantic Canada, 'the Small party' was
formed with similar goals. In May 1972 a meeting at Victoria University of Wellington, in Wellington, New Zealand, launched the
Values Party, the world's first national green party. The term
'Green' was first coined by the German Greens when they
contested their first national level election in 1980. The values of these early movements were gradually codified into those of
today's worldwide Green Parties.
Growth and maturity of Green Parties
As Green Parties generally grow from the bottom up, from neighborhood to municipal to (eco-)regional to national levels, and
are often ruled by consensus, strong local coalitions are a pre-requisite to electoral breakthroughs. Usually growth is sparked
by a single issue where Greens can bridge the gap to ordinary citizens' concerns.
The first such breakthrough was by the German Green Party,
famous for their opposition to nuclear power, as an expression of anti-centralist and pacifist values traditional to greens. They
were founded in 1983 and have worked in coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Germany in a so-called Red-Green Alliance since 1998. In 2001, they reached an
agreement to end reliance on nuclear power in Germany, and agreed to
remain in coalition and support the German government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in the 2001 Afghan War. This
put them at odds with many Greens worldwide but demonstrated also that they were capable of difficult political tradeoffs.
Other Green Parties that participated in government on the national level include the Finnish Green Party, Agalev and Ecolo of Belgium and the French Green Party.
Green Party's politics
Values and Ethics
Green Parties participate in the legal electoral process and seek to influence the definition and enforcement of law in each
nation in which they are organized. Accordingly, Green Parties do not advocate an end to all law or all violent or
potentially-violent enforcement of law, although they prefer peace, de-escalation, and harms reduction approaches to
enforcement.
Often confused with "left" political parties advocating central control of capital, Green Parties usually advocate stark
divisions between public commons (in land or water) and private enterprise, with little cooperation -- higher energy and material
prices are presumed to create efficient enterprise. Green Parties rarely support subsidies to corporations -- sometimes excepting
research grants to find more efficient or ecologically sound industrial techniques.
Many "right" Greens follow more geo-libertarian views which
emphasize natural capitalism - and shifting taxes away from
value created by labor or service and charging instead for human consumption of the wealth created by the natural world. That
said, Greens may view the processes by which living beings compete for mates, homes, and food, ecology, and the cognitive and
political sciences very differently. These differences tend to drive debate on ethics, formation of policy, and the public
resolution of these differences in leadership races. There is no single Green Ethic.
Values of indigenous peoples (or "First Nations"), and to a
lesser degree the ethics of Mohandas Gandhi, Spinoza and Crick, and the growth of
awareness of ecology, have had a very heavy influence on Greens - most obviously in
their advocacy of long-term "seven generation" foresight, and on the personal responsibility of every individual to make moral
choices. These ideas have been summed in the Ten Key Values drafted by
the U.S. Green Party which include restatement of the Four Pillars that European Greens used. On the global level, the Global Greens Charter proposes six key principles.
Critique of green policy
Critics sometimes claim that the universal and immersive nature of ecology, and
the necessity of converting some of it to serve humanity, renders the entire political program of Green Parties a shallow excuse
to claim a monopoly on the means of production that sustain all human lives. These critics often see Green programs as just a
form of socialism or fascism -- which
some claim are more characteristic of Gaians or non-parliamentary groups such
as Green Anarchist, who are part of the Green Movement but less committed to democracy or humanity.
Platforms
Green platforms draw terminology from the science of ecology, and policy from
Feminism, political liberalism
(U.S. style), libertarian socialism (Social Ecology) and even sometimes libertarian survivalists.
It is rare for a Green platform to propose lower fossil fuel prices, unlabelled artificial organisms, tax, trade and tariff
liberalizations that remove protections for ecoregions or communities.
Alliances
Still, what defines green parties is respect for ecology and mimicry of its decentralized control (which operates by feedback
not rules). Depending on local conditions or issues, platforms and alliances may vary drastically. In line with the goal of
bioregional democracy, neighboring ecoregions may require drastically different
policies or protections.
Green Parties are often formed in a given jurisdiction by a coalition of scientific ecologists, community environmentalists and
local (or national) leftist groups or groups concerned with peace or citizens
rights.
A Red-Green Alliance is an alliance between Green Parties
and left-wing or social democratic parties for elections (mostly in
first-after-the-post election systems) or after elections to form a government. Some Greens find more effective alliances with
spirit groups, or with more conservative groups (Blue-Green
Alliance) or indigenous peoples - who seek to prevent
disruption of traditional ways of life or ecological balances they depend on.
Such alliances often highlight strategic differences between participating in Parties and advancing the values of the Green Movement. For example, Greens allied to oust the Centre-left ruling PRI
party of Mexico, and Ralph Nader of the US Greens campaigned with Pat
Buchanan (a very conservative Catholic also running for US President) on joint issues like farm policy and bans on corporate
funding of election campaigns. Many (especially members of the Democratic Party) also blame Nader's campaign for the election of
US President G. W. Bush in 2000, who most Greens consider to be a stark enemy of environmentalism.
As a matter of philosophy, Greens will in general accept short-term pain in return for long-term and strategic gains: despite
the blame, the US Greens grew drastically in size throughout 2001. However, stable coalitions (such as that in Germany) tend to
be formed between elections with 'the left' on social issues, and 'the grassroots right' on such issues as (what they consider to
be) irresponsible corporate subsidies and public ethics.
Policy issues
A few issues affect most of the green parties around the world, and can often inhibit global cooperation. Some affect
structure, and others affect policy:
On matters of ecology, extinction, biosafety, biosecurity, safe trade and health security, "Greens" generally agree or at least have some agreement to agree, typically based on
(scientific) consensus.
There are very substantial policy differences between and among Green Parties in each country and culture, and constant debate
about the degree to which natural ecology and individual needs align.
Global Reach
Around the world, there has been an explosion of Green Parties over the last 30 years. Green Parties now exist in most
countries with democratic systems: from Canada down to Peru; from Norway to South Africa; from Ireland to Mongolia. There are
Green representation at national, regional and local levels in many countries around the world. Even in some countries without
democratic systems, there are now Green NGOs: for instance, in China there is Green-Web. Links to all the Green Parties
around the world can be found at www.greens.org.
Most of the Green Parties are formed to win elections, and so organize themselves by the presented electoral or political
districts. But that does not apply universally: The Green Party of Alaska is organized along bioregional
lines to practice bioregional democracy.
Global Gatherings
Global cooperation is taking place increasingly. Global Gatherings of Green Parties now happen. The first so-called
Global Gathering took place in Canberra, in 2001. It agreed a proposal from the African Green Parties that the next Global Gathering will be
hosted by them, no later than 2006.
Global Green networking dates back to 1990. A First Planetary Meeting of Greens was held
in Rio de Janeiro May 30th-31st, 1992. At this meeting, a Global Green Steering Committee was created, consisting of two seats for each continent. In
1993 this Global Steering Committee met in Mexico City and authorized the creation of a Global Green Network including a Global
Green Calendar, Global Green Bulletin, and Global Green Directory. The Directory was issued in several editions in the next
years. In 1996, 69 Green Parties from around the world signed a common declaration opposing
French nuclear testing in the South Pacific, the first statement of global greens on a current issue. A second statement was
issued in December 1997, concerning the Kyoto climate change treaty. [1]
At the 2001 Canberra Global Gathering delegates for Green Parties from 70 countries decided upon a Global Greens Charter which proposes six key principles. Over
time, each Green Party can discuss this and organize itself to approve it, some by using it in the local press, some by
translating it for their web site, some by incorporating it into their manifesto, some by incorporating it into their
constitution document. [2] This process is gradually taking place. In an
online forum several Green Parties say where they are up to with this process. [3]
The Gatherings also agree on organizational matters. The first Gathering voted unanimously to set up the Global Green
Network (GGN). The GGN is composed of three representatives from each Green Party. A companion organization was set up by
the same resolution: the Global Green Coordination (GGC). This is composed of three representatives from each Federation
(Africa, Europe, The Americas, Asia/Pacific, see below). Discussion of the planned organization took place in several Green
Parties prior to Canberra. [4] The GGC communicates chiefly by email. Any agreement
by it has to be by unanimity of its members. It may identify possible global campaigns to propose to Green Parties world wide.
The GGC may endorse statements by individual Green Parties. For example, it endorsed a statement by the US Green Party on the
Israel-Palestine conflict. [5]
Thirdly, Global Green Gatherings are an opportunity for informal networking, from which joint campaigning may arise. For
example, a campaign to protect the New Caledonian coral reef, by getting
it nominated for World Heritage Status: a joint campaign by the New Caledonia Green
Party, New Caldonian indigenous leaders, the French Green
Party, and the Australian Greens Party.[6]
Another example concerns Ingrid Betancourt, the leader of the Green Party in Colombia, the Green Oxygen Party (Partido Verde
Oxigeno). Ingrid Betancourt and the party's Campaign Manager, Claire Rojas, were kidnapped by a hard-line faction of the
FARC on 7 March 2002, while travelling in
FARC-controlled territory. Ingrid Betancourt had spoken at the Canberra Gathering, making many friends. As a result, Green
Parties all over the world have organized, pressing their governments to bring pressure to bear. For example, the Austrian Green
Party has campaigned, the Scottish Green Party, Green Parties in African countries, in Canada, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, France,
Sweden etc. Bob Brown, the leader of the Australian Greens Party, went to
Colombia, as did an envoy from the European Federation, Alain Lipietz,
who issued a report. [7] The four Federations of
Green Parties issued a message to FARC. [8] Ingrid Betancourt and Claire Rojas are still
prisoners, facing their death. However, the effort of the Green Parties does at least show their potential to unite and campaign
jointly.[9]
Global Green Meetings
Separately from the Global Green Gatherings, Global Green Meetings take place. For instance, one took place on the
fringe of the World Sustainable Development Summit in Johannesberg. Green Parties attended from
Australia, Taiwan, Korea, South Africa, Mauritius, Uganda, Camaroon, Greek Cyprus, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Finland,
Sweden, Norway, the USA, Mexico and Chile. The Global Green Meeting discussed the situation of Green Parties on the African
continent; heard a report from Mike Feinstein, the Mayor of Santa Monica, about setting up a web site of the GGN; discussed procedures for the better working
of the GGC; and decided two topics on which the Global Greens could issue statements in the near future are Iraq and the 2003 WTO
meeting in Cancun.
Global Greens Web Site
The GGC was responsible for creating a Global
Greens web site . This web site represents the efforts of
the GGC to deepen communication between Green Parties, and to facilitate action on matters of global consequence.
The Green Federations
The member parties of the Global Greens (see for details) are
organised into four continental federations [10] .
- Federation of Green Parties of Africa
- Federation of the Green Parties of the Americas / Federación de los Partidos
Verdes de las Américas
- Federation of Green Parties of Asia-Pacific
- European Federation of
Green Parties
As of December 2003, the European Federation of Green
Parties is planning to announce a further step towards a singular organisation in 2004: The
formation of a European Green Party. This event is linked to the upcoming European Parliament elections in June, 2004.
Critique
The disadvantage of global organizing and of the Global
Greens Charter is that it is not a Green way, to impose things from the center. The Green spirit is about decentralization,
localization, and 'power to the people.' This is more of a valid criticism of the Green Charter than it is of the GGC - since
unanimity is always required - or of the GGN, which is only about coordinating campaigns and campaigning jointly. Or of the
Global Green Gatherings, since they are merely an opportunity to talk together: participants report a buzz from being there.
However, in the case of the Charter, it does consist of generalizations, when local reality in the present moment is unique.
To listen to generalizations, (and to force their application by law) is the root of authoritarianism. However, that is the
political process, and we must reduce our ambitions of how perfect Green Parties might be.
Specific Green Parties
The following highlights some aspects important only for specific Green Parties. For information about the programme and the
history of a Green Party in a specific country, use the list at the end of the section.
Green Parties in the English-speaking World
In English-speaking countries, Green Parties face electoral systems that have traditionally disadvantaged smaller parties, and
a culture which has not been subject to invasion or colonization by others:
they have achieved influence in Australia (where they are represented in the
Australian Senate and the legislatures of four states and one
territory) in the United Kingdom, in New Zealand (where for one parliamentary term they were part of the national Government), and (as mentioned
above) the United States. Two provinces of Canada, British Columbia and Ontario, have strong provincial Green Parties. In the United States, at least 143 Greens hold elected positions the local level as of 2002, including 49 in
California (according to [11] ). In Australia, New Zealand, in almost every country in the
European Union, and recently in some elections even in the United Kingdom, proportional representation and other Electoral reform strengthened the position of the Green Parties and enabled them to participate directly
in legislatures and committees.
In countries following British-style 'first past the post' electoral rules, Green Parties face barriers to gaining federal or
provincial/regional/state seats. As of the end of 2002, there were no Greens in the elected houses of the national legislatures
of the United States, United Kingdom or Canada. Accordingly, in these countries, Green
Parties focus on Electoral reform.
Green Parties in the Developing World
Green Parties in the developing world are often organized with help from those in other nations. As of 2002, most notably in
Africa ('Crisis of Growth?' , Agreement between the African and American Federations
). However, the
European Federation of Green
Parties has worked to support weak Green Parties in European countries. Until recently, they were giving support to Green
Parties in the Mediterranean countries. These Green Parties are now making electoral gains, e.g. in Spain and Greek Cyprus, or
getting organized to do so, e.g. in Greece and Malta. Green Parties in Italy and France are part of the political pendulum and
return to government with the success of the main parties of the left. So the European Federation is now turning its attention to
Eastern Europe -- all these countries have Green Parties, but in materially-poor Eastern Europe the success of Green Parties is
very patchy ( Text about the Green East-West Dialogue , The Green East-West Dialogue ).
Skeptics point out that industrial nations are in the best position to adopt state-of-the-art clean energy and corresponding high
pollution standards -- and that Green Parties advocate going against progress.
Other than hosting the first Afghanistan peace conference as part of the
German government, Green Parties in the developed world have made few concrete moves to spread their values using the diplomatic
channels. This is usually seen as one of the responsibilities of the Green
Movement -- letting parties concentrate on their voters.
List of Green Parties
This list is sorted alphabetically by country.
See also: List of Green party issues,
Category:Green political
parties
External Links
Global Lists and Websites
Green Party Newsletters
Sources
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