Strengthening Democracy
Political action to foster social and political change, as described in this chapter, is the fourth and final element of the book’s four-tiered stewardship strategy. Stewardship that is politically astute can identify a spectrum of strategies to steer possible paths forward. Each strategy requires respectful dialogue that reframes debates across worldviews to identify and act on shared concerns rather than to reinforce blame. Collaboration with like-minded individuals within government and business often reduces barriers to progress. Active engagement in politics (informing, advising, participating, and voting) and in business (consumer action and socially responsible investment) can nudge politics and business toward stewardship. Sometimes, however, direct confrontation is more effective at precipitating transformational change. In this case, clear goals, identification of allies and of strategies to eliminate barriers, and a concrete plan to sustain successes increase the likelihood of successful transformation.