Strategic initiatives differ from the dominant mode of progressive advocacy which focuses on narrowly-defined problems (e.g., global warming) and then identifies specific solutions (e.g., carbon tax or a sky trust). In contrast strategic initiatives begin with big, positive, visionary solution that solves many problems simultaneously while changing social values.
From http://www.thebreakthrough.org/ a group that is implementing framing, values and strategic initiatives. Check out the "future" and "strategy" sections on their site. (More after the jump...)
Instead of identifying a problem that needs to be fixed and figuring out a policy to correct it, think of the value you want to promote, and figure out your allies.
The chart on the bottom of this page http://www.thebreakthrough.org/strategy.php shows con and pro examples of Strategic initiatives.
Strategic Initiatives should:
- have Multiple impacts.
- Elevate new progressive "frames."
- create New alliances and political realities.
- Divide opponents.
If you are interested in more, be sure to look at the PDF, "Strategic Values:"
http://www.thebreakthrough.org/files/Strategic_Values_Overview.pdf
Excerpt from the pdf :
Activate and link the bridge values of American dream, financial security, ethical consumerism, and faith in science.
- Define the progressive base.
- Identify constituents of opportunity.
- Identify bridge values that progressives share with constituents of opportunity.
- Craft and implement strategic initiatives that activate and strengthen progressive values to build a progressive majority over time.
I encourage you to read through the site and the pdf. And check out http://www.apolloalliance.org/ to see how unlikely groups can form an alliance to bring about huge change.
If you're reading this and saying, "what's a strategic initiative?" then check out this article from Rockridge Institute: http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/rockrid