Democracy is something we live from the inside out. The Aha! is that when we live it this way, a personal, inner democracy can be politically transformational as well.
Usually, people jump into a discussion about democracy with reactions to what they hear in the news, dismay, fear of perceived threats, feelings and opinions, fiery points of view, weariness, uncertainty about how to make things better.
I want to invite us to feel moved by a personal connection to democracy. Democracy asks people to search for, claim and live what is personally meaningful. Doris Haddock, ‘Granny D’, renowned for walking across the USA for campaign finance reform when she was 88-90 years old, said, “democracy is exquisitely personal to each of us.” Democracy says, look inside and see what gives your life meaning.
The burning question is how we live democracy. How do we get involved? Do we ‘hole up,’ living our values as best as we can, avoid those who disagree with us, vote, make contributions, scroll social media, basically go with what is?
Where does the strength come from to be embedded in society’s status quo (going with what is even as we complain about it) and at the same time believe that transformation of the status quo is possible? Can we imagine new ways of participating and testing out what might be?
Recently, I had this Aha! reading Tom Altee’s Co-Intelligence blog, Seeding Co-Intelligent Transformation into the Electoral Rapids.
During this electoral season he encourages Democrats to “demonstrate leading edge approaches to their traditional program of enabling and empowering people to care and engage.” He encourages Democrats to evolve ideas of diversity beyond the usual “isms” and “embrace the fullness of human uniqueness.” Going beyond current fundraising bombardment practices of political candidates (even our favorites), he looks to increasing people-to-people connection as central to the electoral process. Imagine convivial conversations in libraries about values we care most about. Imagine appreciative inquiries into what a political party could also be. Imagine millions of people learning from one another, making friends, receiving personal benefit by participating in political campaign activities.
Tom’s encouragement to imagine radical change within the democratic structures, plus his array of feasible ideas, helped me connect the personal with the transformational. Our own personal claim and love for democracy can provide us with the courage, trust and energy to change how we do politics in America. Tom says, American politics are ripe for transformational acupuncture.