Glimpses of Utopia, Jess Scully, a reflection

Peter Tait

My reflections rather than a book review.

Jess Scully discusses the hope-giving developments she has found around the world that suggest we can build a well society on a well planet if we apply what we know.

Just been reading Jess Scully, Glimpses of Utopia #GlimpsesOfUtopia.

There is a lot in there. Most is not new but she has brought it together powerfully.

Some key messages:

• Progress happens by talking about what we would like the world to be and how we are going to get that change.
• It happens through conversation between ordinary people living near each other.
• Then those people do/build/make happen, on a small scale, what it is they want. Local, with each other.
• And they show it off.
• Finally, she discloses this wonderful idea: build a community of belief as well as practice.

So CAPaD wants to build a community of belief in democracy. Real people participatory democracy.

 

Some more specifics about participatory politics:

• Participation has to be easy and fun
• People have to feel they are being listened to seriously
• Particularly how to listen to the (usually) unheard is important
• If the government won’t do it, harness the power of IT and do it yourself
• It is not about elections; although they have their role
• The democratic confederal idea of community leading itself
• Get your fingers on (some of) the money

Of course, there is a website and even better read her book.