Ecological Thinking in Politics

I will host discussions on this Donato’s Place, as part of the Transition Durham project starting Saturday. Aug. 7 at & PM.

What is the paradigm on which we should now base our political diagnoses and prescriptions and proposed legislation?

The G20 in Toronto provides a clue. Here we witnessed thousands of mostly young people gathering, marching, singing, chanting , speaking not in favour of left wing or right wing politics but in favour of something much broader and more inclusive than either of these alone. Social work students in universities these days are being taught to approach their clients from an ecological perspective. That is, to ask what is the ecology of the social and physical environment in which my prospective client is living, and must come to terms with? What would constitute harmony, balance, sustainability, for this person in their life?

I propose we apply the same thinking to our political processes.