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The
Ten Key Values of the Green Party
- Grassroots Democracy
Every human being deserves a say in
the decisions
that affect their lives and not be subject to the will of another.
Therefore, we will work to increase public participation at every level
of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully
accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create
new types of political organizations which expand the process of
participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the
decision-making process.
-
Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
All persons should have the right and
opportunity
to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the
environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our
organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class
oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to
deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.
- Ecological Wisdom
Human societies must operate with the
understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from it. We must
maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and
resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a
sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future
generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our
generation. To this end we must practice agriculture which replenishes
the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that
respect the integrity of natural systems.
- Nonviolence
It is essential that we develop
effective
alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to
demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being
naive about the intentions of other governments.
We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who
are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose
practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our
actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.
- Decentralization
Centralization of wealth and power
contributes to
social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and
militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social,
political and economic institutions away from a system which is
controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic,
less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible,
remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil
rights are protected for all citizens.
- Community-Based Economics and Economic
Justice
We recognize it is essential to create
a vibrant
and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a
decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy
ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful
work with dignity, while paying a "living way" which reflects the real
value of a person's work.
Local communities must look to economic development that assures
protection of the environment and workers' rights; broad citizen
participation in planning; and enhancement of our "quality of life". We
support independently owned and operated companies which are socially
responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that
distribute resources and control to more people through democratic
participation.
- Feminism and Gender Equity
We have inherited a social system
based on male
domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of
the cultural ethics of domination and control with more cooperative
ways of interacting that respect differences of opinion and gender.
Human values such as equity between the sexes, interpersonal
responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We
should remember that the process that determines our decisions and
actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.
- Respect for Diversity
We believe it is important to value
cultural,
ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to
promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines.
We believe that the many diverse elements of society should be
reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we
support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out
of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other
life forms than our own and the preservation of biodiversity.
- Personal and Global Responsibility
We encourage individuals to act to
improve their
personal well-being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological
balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and
organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and
the health of the planet.
- Future Focus and Sustainability
Our actions and policies should be
motivated by
long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely
disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a
sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for
survival. We must counterbalance the drive for short-term profits by
assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal
policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the
results of our actions.
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