Welcome to Theory of Change

This is Theory of Change, the newsletter for the Andy Ellis For Governor campaign.

A theory of change (ToC) is an explicit theory of how and why it is thought that a social policy or program activities lead to outcomes and impacts. - Wikipedia

This "theory of change" is almost always missing in discussions and debates about the role of third parties in the so-called "two party system."  Without a coherent theory of change we find ourselves in endless debates about more choices, lesser evils, and protest votes. 

As a candidate, an activist, an advocate, and as a voter, it is essential to be able to explain the why and the how of Green Party and third party politics. Questions like:

• Why do we choose to run candidates outside of the two party system?
• How does that interact with mutual aid, workplace organizing, and protest movements?
• How does that help achieve outcomes aligned with justice, peace, ecology and democracy?
• Why the Green Party, in particular?
• What role does this campaign play?

Over the last decade I have discussed these questions in classrooms, libraries, bars, coffee shops, churches, campaign offices, living rooms and anywhere else people want to talk about it. I have attended fairs, festivals, parades, marches, protests, and even baseball games to promote a vision of a more democratic, peaceful, just and ecologically-wise multiparty Maryland. I have spent thousands of hours studying law, policy, history, and theory about the limits of a two party system and the possibilities of something better.

I believe my yearning for and my vision of this theory of action, are among the things that make me and this campaign unique.

This newsletter will attempt to answer those questions. My vision includes original op-eds, essays, speeches, and other pieces that go into more depth than the content on the website or social media. I will share some good content from other people, and I may at some point include original writing  from people who want to collaborate on this project.

The focus will include policy, theory, history, political science, and data. 

I want to co-create this project with a community of subscribers. I can’t wait to share ideas, wrestle with concepts, and cooperatively advance a theory of action to create a multiparty Maryland. If we do then justice, peace, democracy and ecological wisdom can be the new norm and we can transform Maryland in to a place that works for everybody. 

I am eager to get started and will have new content very soon!

In the meantime, you can subscribe so that as we roll out the newsletter you can be the first to know!

Authority: Campaign Donations for Andy Ellis, Brian Bittner - Treasurer