The Need For An Evolutionary Movement In Politics with Stephen Dinan

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Stephen Dinan encourages each of us to become a transpartisan and go beyond some of our biases, assumptions, and prejudices to find common ground in our political discourse. He suggests we find a stance of respect and honor towards those who have a different political position from us. He gives the example of Van Jones, a progressive political activist, working with conservative former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich, joining together with a common goal of criminal justice reform. His experience tells him that, “the things that tend to endure and work tend to integrate both a more progressive and a conservative set of disciplines.” He encourages us to ground ourselves in the deeper values that unite us such as liberty, equality, and justice for all - which are bedrock principles of the United States. He says we must take on the spirit of nonviolent evolutionaries as we hold a vision of possibility rather than one of opposition. “A vision of possibility draws us forward. America can become the world’s greatest peace builder.” As an example of how small actions have a ripple effect, he applauds the work of Kiva, a nonprofit organization that assists families out of poverty, and he encourages us to participate in their microloans programs. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Stephen Dinan is a social entrepreneur, visionary political strategist, and founder and CEO of The Shift Network.

Stephen Dinan is the author of:

• Radical Spirit: Spiritual Writings from the Voices of Tomorrow (New World Library 2002)
• Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All (Hampton Roads 2016)

To learn more about the work of Stephen Dinan go to www.sacredamerica.net.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• What is meant by the term “transpartisan”
• Why we must reach across the aisle rather than live in our own political silos
• How there is a need for more balance between the masculine and feminine values in U.S. politics
• How we need to address the shadow of the Native American genocide and true racial healing
• How revolutions build up a lot of fire, but what is enduring is evolution
• How America can be a world peace builder nation
• How raising the minimum wage can lead to less government spending
• How his work in the Friends Committee on National Legislation opened his eyes to how democracy works
• How small efforts and actions have a multiplier effect
• How the work of Kiva, a nonprofit organization, is lifting families out of poverty with microloans
• What we need to do to train better political leaders
• How California can be one of the first major economies to reach a neutral carbon economy
• What is the purpose and vision of the Shift Network

Host: Justine Willis Toms      Interview Date: 5/5/2016          Program Number: 3583

Music Playlist

From Album: American Acoustic  (disc 1)
Artist: Nancy Rumbel and Eric Tingstad
1998 Narada #72438-45862-2-5

Opening Essay: Track 08 Secrets of the Big Sky
Music Break 1: Track 02 Alligator Alley
Music Break 2: Track 03 Give and Take
Music Break 3: Track 01 Shenandoah