Some friends and I are recovering/renewing solidarism, we believe that a new ideology could perhaps be a step towards organizing and promoting promising changes.
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What is Solidarism?
Solidarism is a set of ideas, philosophical, social and political principles, based on the ideas of Leon Bourgeois - Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1920. Our mission is to have a more just, prosperous and supportive society, against the current structure that exploits and alienates our people. We seek transformation through communication, cultural change, political articulation, economic model of cooperatives, intentional communities. We seek to connect and strengthen any and all movements/actions that promote the end of poverty and the progress of humanity.
Values
Individual and collective improvement;
Solidarity and cooperation;
Science;
Freedom;
Empathy;
Humility;
Equity and social justice.
Keep in mind that:
Solidarism is not something to be imposed; instead, it invites those who genuinely identify with and want to participate voluntarily. Selfish individuals who are not committed to cooperation and honesty have no place in the movement.
As our group grows and our actions advance other groups, companies, institutions, coercive and socially inefficient ideas lose space for our more socially efficient projects.
We need to organize ourselves, form groups to unite and suppress people's belonging, combat hatred, misery, alienation. Despite appearing to be a reformist movement, this is a transitional ideology, its peak will create the conditions allowed for the elaboration of a future system that could replace capitalism.
The value of freedom that we defend is a guarantee of coming and going, freedom of expression (which does not imply crimes of racism, hate speech, persecution, etc.), of being able to express your identity, religiosity. We focus on the ideas and objectives that unite us, small differences (of ideas and philosophies) should not undermine our organization, we need to focus on the practical and what is possible.
Instead of a revolution by force, our strategy is to grow within the current political/economic/social system.
This is not the elaboration of a perfect solution, but of progress and a possible transition.
Solidarism is focused on happiness and prosperity, capitalism is focused on greed and accumulation - it is the system that does little for the poor, that exhausts people emotionally and spreads depression.
Advertising
One of the most impactful aspects of the capitalist system is the persuasive power of its propaganda. It is notable how most advertising messages directly seek to stir people's emotions, leading them to a state of desire and impulse to consume. Gradually, this constant exposure to advertising influences the way people see the world, making them believe that social status and happiness are intrinsically linked to the act of consuming.
Advertising has skillfully constructed narratives that urge us to seek personal satisfaction and fulfillment through the acquisition of material goods. It bombards us with messages that associate products and services with positive emotions, such as love, success, belonging, pleasure. This strategy aims to create an emotional bond between consumers and brands, driving a constant cycle of purchase and consumption.
However, this excessive approach to consumption ends up molding individuals into an individualistic mentality, in which the search for one's own benefit takes precedence over consideration for others and even for one's own emotional health and well-being. Society becomes immersed in a culture of unbridled competition, in which people are encouraged to exploit others and themselves in search of personal advantages, often leading a person to stress, burnout and even depression. This individualistic behavior is harmful both to interpersonal relationships and to society as a whole. The distancing of empathy and cooperation leads to social fragmentation, increasing inequalities and undermining the need for solidarity to face collective challenges.
We recognize the power of advertising as a tool of influence and communication. However, we try to use it in a completely different way than it is traditionally used. Advertising in our context is a tool to disseminate fundamental values, such as empathy, cooperation, search for the common good, conscious consumption and humility.
Philosophy
Solidarism has a philosophical basis that goes beyond denouncing oppression, social exclusion, imperialism and planned obsolescence. We also seek pervasive philosophies, values and worldviews that encourage a community engaged with diversity, tolerance (within the context of the tolerance paradox), transparency, solidarity, equity.
Capitalism and its propaganda, as already explained in the previous chapter, promotes an individualistic and oppressive worldview, which values