Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee: a political ecology of change

Down the road it may be beneficial to seek formal endorsement of our vision from tribal governments, city councils, school boards, student and professional associations. It would make for some interesting campaigns, anyway.

The South African freedom charter was seen to be the nucleus of a future South African constitution. To play a similarly galvanizing role, our core vision (whatever we might choose to call it) would need to emerge out of a broadly participatory process that places the most marginalized and targeted sectors at its center. That process itself would be a rich unity-building experience. Converging around core human values would bring us into communion with growing numbers of mobilized people around the world. The Cochabamba climate convergence was a powerful, recent reminder of the appeal of visionary audacity.

Concluding observations

If we are to win we must turn many old assumptions on their head. If our ability to act powerfully is rooted in our ability to see powerfully, then it should not surprise us that our enemies are very interested in limiting our vision. Our most debilitating assumption--that we are powerless and our foes are all-powerful--leads us to make choices that only weaken us. I have suggested other ways to evaluate the challenges and prospects for breaking out of the mesmerizing rip-tide in which we are trapped. It is worth reviewing some of these assertions before we come to a close.

A unifying strategic vision represents the voice of the future toward which we must navigate. The dominant political ideologies are in decline. If we remain under their wing we will be rejected with them. The alternatives that are stepping forward to fill the void are dysfunctional and reactionary and are tied to the corporate sector. There has rarely been a richer moment to offer a visionary alternative.

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