What's the point of political action?

Actions such as those by the Occupy movements and UK Uncut provide transparency in an inherently unjust system.

Dan Hind
Dan Hind has worked in publishing since 1998 and is the author of two acclaimed books.

But while broadcasters and politicians insist that they should define what is and isn't political, direct action by citizens is changing their agenda and forcing changes to the content of public speech. Party leaders have been forced to notice problems they successfully ignored for at least a generation. A few people acting as if they matter have done this. By all means, believe that you are powerless to change things for the better. Irresponsibility has its charms, after all. But bear in mind that you are wrong. You aren't powerless.

This year we look set to find out what we can do once more than a handful of us start acting like free citizens in a democracy. When we spend as much time talking with one another as we spend listening to talking heads on the television, we will discover the full extent of our shared power to describe and change the world.

Happy 2012.