Holistic Politics

One piece that is largely missing in the movement for personal and social transformation is a network of holistic political organizations that aim consciously to both directly impact public policy (by proposing reforms using methods such as lobbying, elections, demonstrations, boycotts, etc.), and explicitly, intentionally foster personal growth (sometimes including spiritual development), healthy group dynamics, cultural change, and a compassionate sense of community among its members.

Service organizations assist individual activists with their personal growth. Social-change activists organize “counter institutions” as models for the future. Some caring friendships spontaneously, naturally form as a byproduct when people get involved in political organizations. Advocacy organizations promote important increased public awareness and other forms of cultural change. These efforts are valuable, but insufficient.

Some practitioners of personal growth (including spiritual development), healthy group dynamics, and cultural action believe that their efforts will eventually lead to large numbers of people becoming politically active.

Some creators of counter institutions believe that when the existing system collapses, their alternative systems will help fill the vacuum. Others believe that their alternatives will eventually attract enough people to trigger massive social change.

But I see little hope for those scenarios. Given the power of the dominant social system, those small isolated alternatives will likely remain small and isolated.

The way we’re going, those personal, interpersonal, local, small group, and cultural efforts will continue to be swamped by socialization that inculcates widespread selfishness. And the misery that is created by governmental policies will continue to overwhelm efforts to relieve that suffering.

Rescuing babies drowning in a river can save lives. But we also need to stop the monster that throws those babies into the river.

Many alternative models have been demonstrated. What is lacking is the political power to change those policies that suppress the expansion of those models.

Efforts to promote personal, social, and cultural growth may indirectly encourage the spread of holistic politics. They are certainly complementary. But being complementary, they remain separate.

Without sustained, conscious, intentional effort, such projects won’t scale up to effective political action. The dilemma is how to develop and institutionalize holistic methods.

Inner transformation needs outer transformation. And outer transformation needs inner transformation. But those arenas are seldom integrated.

In our hyper-specialized age, folks tend to stick with particular areas of interest. Political activists and political organizations generally avoid personal, social, and cultural issues. And people who work in personal, social, and cultural arenas tend to avoid politics.

This country needs massive, effective, grassroots, political movements that are able to help change deadly public policies by building momentum with a never-ending series of victories that improve lives in an ongoing process of evolutionary revolution.

A focused commitment to holistic political organizing that spreads joy and enriches lives could enhance prospects for this kind of transformation.