Wise Democracy-Discovering Solutions to Intractable Problems (The Future of Western Civilization Series 1) #29

by Nicholas Beecroft

Jim Rough interviewed by Psychiatrist Dr Nicholas Beecroft. Jim is an expert in Wise Democracy. He originated the technique called dynamic facilitation which he now uses with Wisdom Councils, a social process designed to empower large systems of people. In this interview Jim describes how the quality of conversation which really counts along with the people who have that conversation.

Dynamic facilitation takes people beyond the traditional debate, dialogue and deliberation into a choice-creating conversation which generates new potential outcomes. The groups work best when drawn randomly from the population. On first inspection that may sound strange because our tradition is to choose experts, representatives and those who have a particular strong opinion or interest group.

With years of experience in facilitating the democratic process, Jim has found that there is a deep wisdom which emerges from randomly chosen group taking the mainstream interest and seeking to serve the whole. He finds that a consensus emerges which is often transformational and inspiring to the wider community. He has taught people globally to use this technique any give some examples of work is working well, particularly in Austria.

We tend to take democracy for granted is as if it is something which we have already achieved. Jim points out that democracy is something which needs constant evolution, requiring ongoing attention and adaptation to our needs and situation. He makes a powerful call for integrating dynamic facilitation and Wisdom Councils into our existing structures so as to help raise our game to meet the substantial challenges which we face.

Jim is a business consultant, speaker, and principal seminar leader for the seminar Dynamic Facilitation and the Wisdom Council. He has been leading public seminars on Dynamic Facilitation for over 20 years, while facilitating for clients that include government agencies, corporations, and community-based organizations. He is author of the book “Society’s Breakthrough! Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People”, which Robert E. Steele called, “...certainly one of the hundred most important books available in English.” He is originator of the Wisdom Council process, which is now being implemented in many cities throughout Central Europe, government agencies, cooperatively owned businesses, schools, and communities. He is cofounder of the nonprofit Center for Wise Democracy, which promotes the Wisdom Council.

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 1

Introduction to the Series-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys

British Patriotism-A Newcomer’s Perspective-William Nkata Masembe

The Next Big Shift-From Machine to Living System-Dr Nicholas Beecroft

Global Simultaneous Policy Making-Bottom-Up Global Policy-John Bunzl

The Future of Capitalism-Getting What We Really Want-Jon Freeman

Transpartisan Politics-The Power of Integrating Diversity-Joseph McCormick

Creating Heaven on Earth-Taking Small Steps in the Right Direction-Martin Rutte

Bonds, Fields and Intentions-Culture Catches Up with Science-Lynne McTaggart

Leadership with Integrity-How to be True to Yourself-Dr Mary Gentile

Wisdom-Lost and Rediscovered-Professor Jim Garrison

The Living Universe-Bringing Science, Finance and Society to Life-Dr Elisabet Sahtouris

Organizational Democracy-10 Steps to Democratic Culture and Leadership-Traci Fenton

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 2

The West is Best-Insights from the PR Man to the Stars-Howard Bloom

Evolutionary Enlightenment-Living from your Creative Impulse-Andrew Cohen

Renaissance 2-Catalyzing the Second Renaissance-Dr Robin Wood

Positive Patriotism-The Evolving British-Chris Parish

The Master Code-The Theory that Explains Everything-Dr Don Beck

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 3

Generational Cycles-Predicting the Future-Neil Howe

Catalyzing Change-Engaging Emergence-Peggy Holman

Successful Nations-Harnessing the Aspirations of the People-Richard Barrett

Resurrecting Christianity-Rising to the Challenges of a Complex World-Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

German Identity & Patriotism-Healing the Wounds, Integrating the Shadow-Adrian Wagner

Compassionate Healthcare-Re-humanising Medicine-Dr Robin Youngson

New Money-The Evolution of Finance-Jordan MacLeod

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 4

Unleashing Human Potential-Alignment, Energetics and Connection-Soleira Green

Wise Democracy...

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Dr Nicholas Beecroft is a Consultant Psychiatrist who has spent 25 years exploring the worlds of Medicine, Psychiatry, Business, Leadership, International Relations, Politics, the Military and Spirituality. He created the Future of Western Civilization Series of interviews with visionary leaders. He is author of Analyze West: A Psychiatrist Takes Western Civilization on a Journey of Transformation and New Magna Carta: A Psychiatrist’s Prescription for Western Civilization.