How does the Wise Democracy Project affect change?
- Each of the 8 STEPS. These “normal solutions” can make a big difference. For instance, just the idea of citizens identifying one issue that needs solving sets up a short-term focus of effort, where we each “own” and address that problem (e.g loss of democracy, partisan gulf, growing surveillance state, prejudice, etc). This is a way of coordinating attention and energy ... and of building team spirit even though people may be addressing this issue differently (e.g. teaching civics, hosting living room conversations, street demonstrations, etc.). These steps create a living symbol of “We the People,” the necessary "we" in people's frequent expressions of "we need to...." Just these 8 steps provide the symbols of a living democracy: "We the People," "the Public Will," "the Public Discourse," etc. As the process unfolds of course, these symbols gain in strength to actually become a real and powerful "We the People," to articulate the actual "Public Will," so that we live in a "Wise Democracy." But even before these transformations occur, public officials will increasingly attend to the symbols, acting to support the "will of the people" as expressed by the Wisdom Council. Plus, these early Wisdom Councils will stimulate many local and web-based small group conversations in a the spirit of choice-creating.
- The CONTENT of what Wisdom Councils say. Each Wisdom Council will address a chosen issue and co-create shared conclusions on what is really going on (i.e. the Truth); what we want (i.e. our shared Vision); and what we need to do about it (the best Strategy that we currently know). … This conclusion is presented to the general public as a reflection, not a proposal. The point is to generate a creative collaborative public conversation that builds on the Wisdom Council conclusions. As the public conversation continues it becomes ever clearer that the Wisdom Councils are expressing what we are all thinking and wanting. And so it becomes easier to NGO's, Philanthropies, Governments, corporations, etc. to orient more to serving the public will.
- The ONGOING nature of the Wisdom Councils evolves ever greater participation among the people. It's a new story about democracy, "who are the people"? ... all of us; "how do they relate?" ... we work together collaboratively in facing our shared problems; "what about the partisan gulf?" ... its increasingly recognized to be a natural outcome of our existing System, which is being changed through collaborative efforts and through other means like the implementation of ranked choice voting, proportional representation, etc.; "What about Special Interest domination of politics?" ... This increasingly expresses of the "Public Interest," which has a greater priority than any Special interest voice; "What about the rise of Authoritarianism? ... Here's a new authority, even outranking the "Dear Leader" and the Constitution, "We the People."
- The new PROCESS of thinking is a creative quest to determine “what’s best for all,” rather than arguing, promoting, judging and influencing to see who wins power. It’s a shift from living inside the rules of the game for collective decision-making, where we don’t get much of a say, to where we are co-founders of the new society. Personally, we become less judgmental and more creative. And more motivated toward the public interest than maximizing special interests. Choice-creating is healing in many ways … e.g. anxieties, polarization, traumas, the crisis of meaning, etc. ...
- Symbolic representation of "We the People" and the new "Story of Democracy." This new story is about a dynamic System that is truly "of the people, by the people and for the people," continually evolving to better realize this aim. With time this narrative isn't just symbolic. Ever more people "fill in" the symbolic representation of "We the People.". So it's really happening in a new System of Democracy with ever greater power for change.
- The new SYSTEM of Wise Democracy. The Wise Democracy Project adds the missing "We the People" conversation to our System, which is a shift from the Box System (or the Triangle) to the Circle System. We shift from being a "constitutional republic," where a social contract is ultimately in charge, to being a "Wise Democracy," where a wise and responsible "We the People" is ultimately in charge. This System transformation is a restructuring of economics as well, away from profit maximization and commodification of people to a pursuit of meaning and service. We call the new economics "ToBe-ism."
- Accomplishing YOUR BIGGEST WISH for America. So what is your biggest wish and note (we think) that achieving "the Monster Wish" will also achieve your wish.
- I wish ... (aim high) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. See The Monster Wish
What if I don't "get it" how the Wise Democracy Project will transform the System and make this essential difference?
Check out our two step approach:
1) Stay curious ... Six approaches to "getting it"
2) Note that even without "getting it" the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project make it worthwhile. "Getting it" comes with experience
1) Stay curious ... Six approaches to "getting it"
2) Note that even without "getting it" the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project make it worthwhile. "Getting it" comes with experience