One need only mention the name Francione to incite enthusiasm among abolitionists, who have long lurked in the shadows of the dominant welfarist body in both notoriety and social acceptance. Interestingly, though Francione himself actually came up with the name “new-welfarist” to designate the ideology he disagreed with, this ideology has long held greater notoriety than his own. While new-welfarists base their precepts on an ideal of incremental change (by improving the welfare of animals exploited for food, fashion, or entertainment), abolitionists following Francione’s work are grounded in a different set of ideas. According to Francione, action begins with a theory to inform it – for abolitionists, this theory comes down to the way society sees animals in the first place: as property. It may sound strange, but animals as we treat them today are our property – my dog and my hammer, are, as far as the law is concerned, pretty much on the same page. Furthermore, because animals are sentient beings with individual qualities and unique characteristics, abolitionists contend that we are never in any position to use them for our means. For abolitionists, it is this dynamic between humans and non-human animals that needs to change, with no gradual improvements, no concessions, and no compromise.
Welfare activism is also good for business, as far as many restaurants are concerned. Welfarists, on the other hand, consider compromise the key to lasting transformation. It is this willingness to talk in increments that makes welfare reform the dominant paradigm for those seeking better lives for animals. Projects taken up by welfarist groups include lobbying for stricter treatment laws and better slaughterhouse conditions, with the long term goal of eliminating animal exploitation. Welfare groups are easy to find, easy to join, and easy to work with – PETA, arguably the most widely renowned welfarist organization, offers donation forms online and boasts over 1.6 million members, making it the largest animal interest group in the world. But PETA, and other welfare outfits, have more than numbers on their side – they have found a captive audience in mainstream media, and their activism is focused on splashy campaigns that get press – whatever the spin. From nude pamphlet canvassers on busy New York streets to celebrity-endorsed magazine spreads, the public is inundated with calls from new-welfare organizations to cut out meat, toss the fur, and join ranks
T.O.F.U. Buckle My Shoe 69