Privatizing Activism
In an incentive driven market, how can we prioritize the work that needs to be done, when we lack for those willing to do it?
This one has been coming for a while.
And it’s been one of the more difficult things for me to write. But we’ll get to that later…
A problematic Culture of Complacency
Many of us have dedicated a fair amount of our time and life to the Libertarian Party, even here in New Hampshire. And how has that dedication been rewarded? Well, in most cases, with failure, despondence, alienation, and burnout. And that cycle seems to be never ending…
The recent drama in the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire with the Mises Caucus (the details of which are irrelevant) prompted some introspective discussion among some of membership and leadership regarding what the proper role of the party, and role of the member activists should be. And while there is plenty of disagreement around, one thing is as certain as ever, that what we’ve been doing, and the structure of how we’ve been doing it isn’t working.
I was asked a simple question - how can we increase the number of people willing to do activism with The Libertarian Party in New Hampshire?
Well, in order to answer that question, I had to evaluate why we have failed, and what obstacles we need to overcome. Why would someone volunteer with the LP when it’s the least effective, least funded, and most handicapped liberty organization in the state? In 49 other states I get it, the Libertarian Party may be the only vehicle they have even trying to drive towards freedom. But here in New Hampshire, the garage is full… NHLA, AFP, FSP, NHIPAC, Liberty Ballot, RebuildNH, MakeLibertyWin, and dozens of other groups working hand in hand in a true decentralized revolution.
There is no shortage of outlets for a liberty activist in New Hampshire that wants to contribute at a low level for a meaningful impact in the big fight. But what we lack is any reason to do so with the Libertarian Party.
The Libertarian Party, nationally, not limited to New Hampshire, suffers for its democratic process. With leadership changes at the whim of a fickle, capricious membership in short terms, there has ever been an opportunity for stability and growth from which to build infrastructure and strategic planning. If the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire ever wants to find a role within the Liberty movement where it provides value, then it needs to recognize that it will require action outside the scope of control of a board that is subject to democratic whims and the real life application of Sayre’s Law.
We offer activists no support or direction, and ask the few who are willing to get offline and do the grunt work to carry that load entirely on their own. We beg them to volunteer, and do so again and again and again. Because why spread out the load when the few who display competence keep leading each initiative to begin with. They do this without backing or support, often at great personal sacrifice, and personal cost, without even the assistance of underwriting their efforts to reduce the burden. And when they do manage to accomplish something, and get burned out, and walk away, they step back to see others reveling and celebrating the success, and often someone else taking the credit for “leadership.”
This status quo breeds a culture of burnout, turnover, and resentment. When those who do the work are left to bear the burden while others reap the reward.
Incentives and Private Management
One thing that separates the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire from all the other groups in New Hampshire seeing more success in the same fight, is organizational structure.
The LP is arguably no less dysfunctional than the GOP or the Dems. But the other activist groups that have taken control of the Grassroots environment in The Granite State are all private non profit groups, not political parties.
What does this mean? Well it means they aren’t subject to massive turnover of leadership. It means that their infrastructure is persistent. It means the relationships they build are lasting. It is because the only people with a say in how they operate, are the ones who will be doing the work. The only ones who make decisions, are invested in the proper application of their resources.
If the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire wants to earn a rightful place in the pantheon of liberty activism in the Granite State, then it needs to rethink how it approaches development. The Libertarian Party needs to privatize its grassroots activism, and utilize market incentives to prioritize full time developmental action.
The Proposal
I’ve said before, I’m done working for free.
That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to do the work. I’m willing to step up and fill the role we may know as “Executive Director” of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire. But I’m not willing to do so under the threat of appeasement to a central board that exists and serves only at the whims of a capricious and transient democratic body.
I am willing to work to build a true grassroots network, in parallel to, and in support of, the Libertarian Party. But this work is time consuming, intensive, and expensive.
This work will include
Building and maintaining volunteer lists and contacts
Outreach, recruiting, and campaigning, and events
Research, media, and promotion
Lobbying, and Legislative relations
And I will do this as a private individual, making best efforts to coordinate with the elected leadership of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, and helping to compliment and implement their organic efforts, but I will not answer to them, as I am not the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, as much of an affinity for them as I have.
There are approximately 180 members of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire. This number is embarrassing, and in the Live Free or Die state it should be 10 times that, there are over 1,300 subscribers to just this newsletter!
So here’s my pitch- Let me privatize your grassroots engagement, and let me do it for profit, the truest market incentive there is.
I said before this was one of the harder articles I’ve written, and here’s why. I hate asking for money, donations, or support, for myself. I’ll tell you 100 reasons why you should donate to any number of fine non profits, but even though I have an ego the size of the moon, my humble trait is that I often feel I need to do so without help and on my own.
But I’m asking you to help me undertake a new full time job on your behalf, so I need you to help me make that something worth doing.
I have a Patreon, with support tiers starting at just $3 a month.
As the size of my monthly patronage grows, so too will my commitment to work level.
At $1,000 a month, I will start to prioritize this work for the LP over my other work when possible, and start shifting away from some of my other roles. (an average of only about $5.50 a month for each current LPNH Member)
At $2,000 a month, work on this project will become my number 1 priority, even as I continue some of my more traditional clients and primary work. (an average of only about $11 a month for each current LPNH Member)
At $4,000 a month, this will become my full time job, my primary role, and my main day to day focus, year round. (an average of only about $22 a month for each current LPNH Member)
Beyond that level, any further growth will result in scaled efforts, and compensating other activists for their time on per diem basis to assist with even more complex growth strategies.
And while this may seem hyper focused on New Hampshire, I hope to prove that this model can be successful in creating a proof of concept that privatized management of activism can be a better path forward for Libertarian Parties in other states as well, and you don’t need to be in New Hampshire, or even a member of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire in order to help this succeed.
Join my Insurgency
Join the Insurgency today, and help kickstart this proposal to new heights. Once things get started, every supporter will receive:
A new weekly update email not available to the public, outlining activities and efforts undertaken, and progress reports on the work I’m doing.
Access to a supporters Discord Channel to discuss strategies, options, and work ideas, including periodic voice and video chat sessions for updates
Special recognition in any produced media on the Subversive YouTube Channel, which will be focused on supporting this effort as a media medium.
Copyright Justin O’Donnell, 2023
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