INC NEWS - Interesting ideas on governing

[pat carstensen]

I ran across this (rather theoretical) article on new ways for citizens to 
interact with government.  I think we are doing pretty well in moving in 
this direction in Durham, but it is nice to see it articulated.

"Traditionally, politics has been a game of confrontation and negotiation. 
Community organizers rallied the politically disenfranchised to confront 
power and compel negotiation:....In its ideal form, the new style of 
self-governance Leighninger sees emerging calls on all parties to bring 
their best qualities to the table. Self-governance assumes that we are not 
cartoon villains and heroes, but equal parties with an equal stake in the 
issues and policies that affect our lives; that all of us, including public 
servants, are simply citizens who wish to place their expertise in service 
to the commons. And self- governance seeks, rather than a fight for what's 
right, solutions that arise from collaboration and consensus."

For the full article, see
www.utne.com/issues/2007_141/cover_story/12532-1.html

Regards, pat

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