Veganism, Boycotts and Broad Based Political Acton

There are a wide range of views about how to best advance the cause of non-human animals. One of the most widely accepted views is that of veganism as a boycott. As Corey Wrenn points out in the video below, veganism is by definition a boycott. The idea is that if we reduce or end the demand for non-human animal products, we will end the exploitation and slaughter of non-human animals. 

Theoretically this seems correct, but in reality it is a much more complicated issue. In addition to all of the very good points that Ms. Wrenn makes; e.g. that supply side economics thwarts boycotts. Brian Luke succinctly points to this reality in his book, Brutal: Manhood and the Exploitation of Animals:

[T]he idea that animal defense requires controlling individual behavior, as if animal exploitation arises from an innate willingness to take advantage of other species, ignores the taming of compassion and outrage that proceeds every day as an integral part of the business of exploiting animals. In this society people are domesticated, trained through external rewards and punishments, through myths and lies, through instilled fear and ignorance, to disconnect from animals, especially those animals designated as "game," "livestock," or "guinea pigs." So animal liberation is not so much a taming of ourselves as it is a refusal to be tamed in support of anthropocentrism.   

David Nibert describes how carnism expanded exponentially with supply side economics, in Animal Oppression and Human Violence: Domesecration, Capitalism, and Global Conflict (Critical Perspectives on Animals):

The profit-minded push for increased consumption of domesecrated animal products by producers of feed grains was compounded by the growth of the retail “meat,”“dairy,” and “egg” industries and the rise of fast-food companies. Achieving large increases in the sale of their products required considerable ideological manipulation of the populace by armies of social-engineering experts who generated, with state support, ubiquitous advertisements and educational programs designed to increase human consumption of domesecrated animals—campaigns disproportionately directed at children. 

That said, it's important to emphasize the point that Ms. Wrenn makes that veganism is a powerful political statement in and of itself, and that going vegan (if at all possible) is a necessary foundation of building a strong political movement. 

A successful boycott demands a broad political movement and building a broad political movement demands veganism as its foundation. It is an historical fact that successful boycotts necessarily include broad political backing. Veganism does not have that backing... yet. Veganism is essential and necessary, but alone isn't sufficient. We must not become complacent, believing that going vegan, and convincing others to do so, will solve the problem. The profit motive and corporations that profit from animal products have a very powerful voice. Strategies to reduce corporate power and their campaigns to increase demand are critical in advancing the cause of non-human and human animals.