Political Boldness Requires Strong Movements

Q. What do you do when a government you didn’t vote for, or don’t like, lives up to its promises?

A. Nurture and strengthen the movement(s) you are part of.

Q. What do you do when a government you voted for, or like, doesn’t live up to its promises?

A. Nurture and strengthen the movement(s) you are part of.

Either way, movements are essential.

Political leaders remain in or gain power by staying tuned to the shifting boundaries of what is politically acceptable and expected.

Movements generate the popular and cultural receptivity which is necessary for political boldness. They create the favourable political conditions for the combination of legislative change, resource allocation, policy shift, new story and new behaviour that you are looking for.

You, your group, alliance, coalition or sector can’t cross that cultural gap on your own. Flourishing movements can.

Check out these three thoughtful documents that will stimulate movement thinking and acting:

Networked Change: How Progressive Campaigns are Won in the 21st Century brought to you by the trailblazing Jason Mogus and his team at NetChange Consulting (Formerly Communicopia). “If you want big change, network it.”
Collective Impact 3.0, by seasoned community organizers Liz Weaver and Mark Cabaj. Thoughtful reflections and advancement of the Collective Impact framework. “An evolution in the revolution.”
Health as a Social Movement – The Power of People in Movements written byJacqueline del Castillo, Halima Khan, Lydia Nicholas, Annie Finnis and brought to you by the good folks at NESTA. “…a new model of engagement that draws effectively on both the efficiency and scale of institutions and the dynamism and agility of movements.”

EH!

When we support one another, we are stronger.

When we talk about our experience, we find meaning.

When we reflect on the meaning of our shared experience, we form a movement.

When we realize that we are a movement, we know we are not alone and that we are powerful.

When we feel powerful, we can carry on taking care.

– Donna Thomson