Blue-Green Alliance
Encyclopedia
A Blue-green alliance describes an alliance between political parties
and other organizations. It has several different meanings that may be evidence that green politics
is "neither left
nor right
", and can ally with either in a given context.
and to a lesser extent, the Green Party of Canada
are considered "blue-green" because they are more economically centrist or even right wing. See Blue Greens.
agreed to a coalition with Fianna Fáil
and the Progressive Democrats
, going into government for the first time in their history. However, although they are a centre-right party, Fianna Fáil use green (Ireland's national colours
) to represent themselves, the PD's do use blue, but they are economic liberals
.
was a political group with a strong environmental focus. It was closely aligned with the centre right National Party
. The "blue-green" Progressive Greens were contrasted with the better-known "red-green" Green Party
, which generally takes a left-wing position. (A third group, the Green Society
, rejected both "blue-green" and "red-green" politics.)
politics, it refers to a possible alliance on certain issues between the Conservative Party
and ecologists or environmentalists such as those found in the UK Green Party
. This alliance may occur as a result of the Conservative view that market economics
help preserve the environment and a tendency toward Deep England views of pastoralism, and the Green view that profit
is not anywhere near as much of a threat to natural systems as debt
. However, the UK's various green parties are usually considered to be leftist greens, and coalitions with the Conservatives such as on Leeds City Council
have proved unpopular with the parties membership and voters.
, the term refers to alliances between labor union
s and environmentalists
, and sometimes specifically to cooperation between American Greens
and blue-collar
labor activists. The core issue of this alliance is opposition to globalization
and to free trade
, and it was significant in the candidacy of Ralph Nader
in the 2000 Presidential election, as Nader was endorsed by some labor organizations (the overwhelming majority of labor unions and environmental organizations are loyal to the Democratic Party and endorsed Al Gore
).
It also continues to be used more generally to refer to any efforts at coalition-building between environmenalists and labor, as with the famous "teamsters and turtles" politics of the WTO Meeting of 1999
and the continuing anti-globalization movement
. One such example is the Blue Green Alliance, a grouping of officials, staff, and activists from organized labor and major environmental organizations representing more than nine million members, including the nation's largest union and largest environmental organization. This group has been very active in promoting a labor-friendly plan to stop global warming and to create green jobs. Other relevant organizations include the Alliance for the Sustainable Jobs and the Environment and the Apollo Alliance
, a subsidiary of the Blue Green Alliance that promotes green jobs based on alternative energy
.
The first use of Blue-Green Alliance as a political affiliation in a US election was during the 2005 City Council Primaries in Minneapolis, MN. Tom Moore ran in the primaries, earning 2.65% of the vote.
Non-environmental:
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and other organizations. It has several different meanings that may be evidence that green politics
Green politics
Green politics is a political ideology that aims for the creation of an ecologically sustainable society rooted in environmentalism, social liberalism, and grassroots democracy...
is "neither left
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
nor right
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
", and can ally with either in a given context.
Canada
The Green Party of OntarioGreen Party of Ontario
The Green Party of Ontario is a political party in Ontario, Canada. The party is led by Mike Schreiner. It has never held any seats in the Ontario Legislative Assembly; however, the party did see significant gains in the 2007 provincial election, earning 8% of the popular vote with some candidates...
and to a lesser extent, the Green Party of Canada
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983 with 10,000–12,000 registered members as of October 2008. The Greens advance a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy and...
are considered "blue-green" because they are more economically centrist or even right wing. See Blue Greens.
Ireland
On 13 June 2007, the Irish Green Party / Comhaontas GlasGreen Party (Ireland)
The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
agreed to a coalition with Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
and the Progressive Democrats
Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats , commonly known as the PDs, was a pro-free market liberal political party in the Republic of Ireland.Launched on 21 December 1985 by Desmond O'Malley and other politicians who had split from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Progressive Democrats took liberal positions on...
, going into government for the first time in their history. However, although they are a centre-right party, Fianna Fáil use green (Ireland's national colours
National colours
National colours are frequently part of a country's set of national symbols.Many states and nations have formally adopted a set of colours as their official "national colours" while others have de facto national colours that have become well-known through popular use...
) to represent themselves, the PD's do use blue, but they are economic liberals
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
.
New Zealand
The now defunct Progressive Green PartyProgressive Green Party (New Zealand)
The Progressive Green Party was an environmentalist political party in New Zealand. It was established as a "blue-green" party - that is, one which is environmentalist , but is economically right-wing rather than left-wing ....
was a political group with a strong environmental focus. It was closely aligned with the centre right National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
. The "blue-green" Progressive Greens were contrasted with the better-known "red-green" Green Party
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...
, which generally takes a left-wing position. (A third group, the Green Society
Green Society
The Green Society was a small New Zealand political party dedicated to environmentalism. It was one of three environmentalist parties involved in the 1996 elections, the others being the Green Party and the Progressive Green Party...
, rejected both "blue-green" and "red-green" politics.)
United Kingdom
In the context of United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
politics, it refers to a possible alliance on certain issues between the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
and ecologists or environmentalists such as those found in the UK Green Party
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
. This alliance may occur as a result of the Conservative view that market economics
Market economy
A market economy is an economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. This is often contrasted with a state-directed or planned economy. Market economies can range from hypothetically pure laissez-faire variants to an assortment of real-world mixed...
help preserve the environment and a tendency toward Deep England views of pastoralism, and the Green view that profit
Profit (economics)
In economics, the term profit has two related but distinct meanings. Normal profit represents the total opportunity costs of a venture to an entrepreneur or investor, whilst economic profit In economics, the term profit has two related but distinct meanings. Normal profit represents the total...
is not anywhere near as much of a threat to natural systems as debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
. However, the UK's various green parties are usually considered to be leftist greens, and coalitions with the Conservatives such as on Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is the local authority for the City of Leeds metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England.-History:The city council was established in 1974, with the first elections being held in advance in 1973...
have proved unpopular with the parties membership and voters.
United States
In the context of the politics of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the term refers to alliances between labor union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s and environmentalists
Environmental movement
The environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
, and sometimes specifically to cooperation between American Greens
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
and blue-collar
Blue-collar worker
A blue-collar worker is a member of the working class who performs manual labor. Blue-collar work may involve skilled or unskilled, manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance, technical installation and many other types of physical work...
labor activists. The core issue of this alliance is opposition to globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
and to free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
, and it was significant in the candidacy of Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
in the 2000 Presidential election, as Nader was endorsed by some labor organizations (the overwhelming majority of labor unions and environmental organizations are loyal to the Democratic Party and endorsed Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
).
It also continues to be used more generally to refer to any efforts at coalition-building between environmenalists and labor, as with the famous "teamsters and turtles" politics of the WTO Meeting of 1999
WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 protest activity
Protest activity surrounding the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999, which was to be the launch of a new millennial round of trade negotiations, occurred on November 30, 1999 , when the World Trade Organization convened at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington,...
and the continuing anti-globalization movement
Anti-globalization movement
The anti-globalization movement, or counter-globalisation movement, is critical of the globalization of corporate capitalism. The movement is also commonly referred to as the global justice movement, alter-globalization movement, anti-globalist movement, anti-corporate globalization movement, or...
. One such example is the Blue Green Alliance, a grouping of officials, staff, and activists from organized labor and major environmental organizations representing more than nine million members, including the nation's largest union and largest environmental organization. This group has been very active in promoting a labor-friendly plan to stop global warming and to create green jobs. Other relevant organizations include the Alliance for the Sustainable Jobs and the Environment and the Apollo Alliance
Apollo Alliance
The Apollo Alliance is a project organized by the Institute for America's Future and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy. The Alliance is a project of the Tides Center....
, a subsidiary of the Blue Green Alliance that promotes green jobs based on alternative energy
Alternative energy
Alternative energy is an umbrella term that refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels....
.
The first use of Blue-Green Alliance as a political affiliation in a US election was during the 2005 City Council Primaries in Minneapolis, MN. Tom Moore ran in the primaries, earning 2.65% of the vote.
See also
- Red-Green AllianceRed-green allianceIn politics, a red-green alliance is an alliance of "red" social-democratic or democratic socialist parties with "green" environmentalist parties. The alliance is often based on common left political views, especially a shared distrust of corporate or capitalist institutions...
Non-environmental:
- Pan-Blue CoalitionPan-Blue CoalitionThe Pan-Blue Coalition 泛藍聯盟 or Pan-Blue Force is a political alliance in the Republic of China , consisting of the Kuomintang , the People First Party , and the New Party . The name comes from the party colours of the Kuomintang...
and Pan-Green CoalitionPan-Green CoalitionThe Pan-Green Coalition or Pan-Green Camp, is an informal political alliance of the Republic of China, commonly known as "Taiwan", consisting of the Democratic Progressive Party , Taiwan Solidarity Union , and the minor Taiwan Independence Party...
, which refer to political constellations in the Republic of ChinaRepublic of ChinaThe Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
on TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
; the colours here have different meanings