ARCO's Abolitionists - A Vegan Forum

Can anyone tell me what is viewed statistically to be the level of a critical mass of a social justice movement (in this case vegans) which is considered the tipping point to achieve success and for the movement to be a real force?

For some reason, I have the percentage 15% floating around in my head. I must have read it somewhere but I don't know where.

Would be most grateful if anyone has any clues, or give me some information on to where to find this information.

I need this info for a talk I want to give at an AR festival on the importance of promoting veganism in the AR movement.

I don't have any good evidence, but I'll take a guess based on subjective observation of other movements.

I would think 15% is probably about right for the minimum percentage to be considered a widely recognized and viable movement. As to real political power, I would think at least 20%, and probably more like 30%, would be required as a minimum.

Related to this, I think the first 15% will be, by far, the hardest to obtain. I liken it to a space rocket taking off. At first, the initial force required to offset gravity and gain momentum is huge. But as the rocket gains momentum, the force required to maintain it is less and less as the momentum increases. Eventually, much of the initial gravity that held it to Earth is lost by distance, and combined with momentum, the rocket uses far less energy to gain more and more distance.

Our role is to make the push easier for future generations.

mountainvegan: Thank you for your comments. I do appreciate your analogy to the space rocket and I will use it in the debate that will be organised after my talk. (My talk, which is also a call to end single issue campaigns, will not be well received by many activists, but I will do my best and just hope that it will not fall completely on dead ears.)

No problem, Diana.

As you know, animal agriculture makes up 99% of all animal abuse. Get people to go vegan for moral reasons, and we’re 99% of the way to animal rights with those who do. It is the big, obvious root of all the other issues. Campaigns concentrated solely on veganism are like force concentrated on lifting the rocket rather than scattered force in other areas (single issue campaigns). Unless we’re able to concentrate enough force (increase the percentage of vegans in society), we won’t get veganism off the ground. If we don’t get veganism off the ground, we’ll flounder forever in welfarism.

It’s important to keep a multi-generational perspective, too. The more we talk about and advocate for veganism, even among those who don’t actually go vegan, the more accepted veganism will be among parents, teachers, co-workers, employers, etc. The more accepted and commonplace veganism is, the easier it is for people to go and stay vegan. Over a couple of generations, this can translate into incredible social change in attitudes and beliefs.

Single issue campaigns – in addition to suggesting that one form of abuse is more acceptable than another or one animal is more important than another – generally don’t address veganism at all. As you well know, they are a waste of time and money.

Best of luck on your talk.

Thanks once again. I really like the way you explain things. Do you want to come and give the talk in my place???

Are you sure about that 99% figure?

Well, it might be 98%, but it's probably no lower than that. If we slaughter 53 billion animals annually for food in the world (about 12 billion in the United States), then 1% of that is 530 million (worldwide) and 120 million (in the US). If we double those (i.e. 2%), then it's 1.06 billion for "other abuses" worldwide and 240 million in the US.

You'd be very safe saying that 97% of our animal abuse is inflicted on "food" animals; somewhat safe in saying 98%; and 99% might be debatable. Using the 97% figure doesn't make your case for focusing on veganism any weaker, that's for sure.

Good for you for giving that talk!!

Hi Diana! Good to see you again! Still tackling those unpopular issues, eh?

mountainvegan wrote:It’s important to keep a multi-generational perspective, too. The more we talk about and advocate for veganism, even among those who don’t actually go vegan, the more accepted veganism will be among parents, teachers, co-workers, employers, etc. The more accepted and commonplace veganism is, the easier it is for people to go and stay vegan. Over a couple of generations, this can translate into incredible social change in attitudes and beliefs.

This is very helpful to keep in mind. thanks for the perspective..

panthera wrote:Hi Diana! Good to see you again! Still tackling those unpopular issues, eh?

Good to see you, too. I wish I could make more quality time to spend with you all. It's on my agenda!!!!

These unpopular issues are certainly keeping me on my toes!