Transitions and trends by Tim C

===Agreement with being In Transition===
Some agree that the Libertarian Party and the PA Libertarian Party are in a
transition. MBA schools show how products (such as the LP and LPPa) move through product life cycles. This is true for political parties, automobiles, computers, flat screen TVs , frozen dinners, religions or anything else.
The LP might be an innovator in changing the left right
political spectrum, an early adopter of gay rights, an early
majority in fighting the IRS, but it might also be a laggard
in terms of using sales techniques to get ideas across.
===The LP is moving from an early phase to a more mainstream phase.=== 
When this happens with any product or movement, changes must be made or
stagnation will occur. Think of Atari and the X-Box as an
example of a product that had to improve over time to be
accepted by more people. Is the LP an Atari or an X-Box?
That's up to you.
Innovators- are well informed risk takers who are willing to
try an unproven product. Innovators represent the first 2.5%
to adopt a product. The product could be the LP or not
paying taxes, or a radio shack 1970's computer built from a
kit. Whatever.
Early Adopters- based on the positive response of
innovators, early adopters then begin to purchase the
product. Early adopters tend to be educated opinion leaders
and represent about 13.5% of consumers. IMO the LP is
transitioning from the innovator to the early adopter phase,
with predictable results.
Early Majority- Careful consumers who tend to avoid risk,
the early majority adopts the product once it has been
proven by the early adopters. They rely on recommendations
from others who have experience with the product. The early
majority represents 34% of consumers. IMO the big challenge
facing the LP is getting ready for the Early Majority phase.
Late Majority- somewhat skeptical consumers who acquire a
product only after it becomes commonplace. The late
majority represents about 34% of consumers.
Laggards- those who avoid change and may not adopt a new
product until traditional alternatives are no longer
available. Laggards represent about 16% of consumers.
----- Original Message -----
From: JohnS
To: PALibernet@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:15 PM
Subject: [PALibernet] Conceptual change from "movement" to
"politics"
> Lets face it, the Lp, though a political party, is a civil
rights movement.
These two units, a political party and a civil-rights
movement, are quite
likely incompatible with each other. I dare say
confrontational to the point
where each is rendered impotent.
Libertarian philosophers (hard-core libertarians who are
steadfast in their
beliefs and messages) have a low likelihood of being elected
by today's
voters. Libertarian politicians (libertarians who are
willing to moderate
libertarian principles to be more attractive to and
successful with voters)
are ofter chastised by the philosophers.
Let's face it. There are two basic types of personalities
within our party
(of which neither is inherently wrong), but we simply view
the others' agenda
in a less-than-respectful light. As we bickering about the
details of
philosophy versus practical politics, society is quickly
becoming more and
more socialist with every administration.
It may be time for the politicians to form a political party
(let's coin it
the "Sincerely Small Government" party [SSG]) that can win
elections and
advance governmental policy towards a more libertarian
positions. The
Libertarian Party has earned a reputation for being extreme
and rather
unbending on issues. A fresh, libertarian-goaled party --
not having the
negative stigma of the LP -- would be a good vehicle for
politicians to win
office and progress liberty.
This situation is much like, although diametrically
opposite, the Socialist
Party -- the hard-core socialists -- and the Democrats (many
might include
the Republicans) who moderate the socialist message yet
steadily advance
towards a socialist society.
I'm sure the LP would continue to run candidates to keep its
views from
becoming lost (also to keep the SSG honest and on track),
but it might be
more beneficial for it to put libertarian principles into
practice --
community groups (private schools, charities, public
assistance, individual
action, etc.) that clearly demonstrates the practicality of
libertarian
means. Ideally after years of work on both parts, the SSG
would move public
policy and consequently its platform to a location very near
where the LP is
today.
John S.
formerly Cumberland County