Patterns for a New Politics
A new politics is emerging. It is inspired by big and small changes made by inspired people.
This website is an attempt to collect the patterns that can help all of us to build a new way of participating in the decisions that affect us.
ABOUT PATTERNS
Patterns
Christopher Alexander, an architecht, inspired a language that offers a vocabulary of elements which can make people’s experience in towns, neighborhoods and buildings more explicit and easy to understand, thus enabling them to shape the development of their environment with their own hands.
Society can also be described with a pattern language composed of different elements that are interrelated. The language that is used to describe society inside the halls of a local government has a certain structure and tone. The way in which it is described by those that make up that society has a different structure and tone.
When we describe society – and particularly a vision of a new way of shaping societies – we choose certain elements and see their possible connections with other elements.
Why do we do this? Just as Christopher Alexander proposes a language of elements that enables people to shape their environment, so we believe that ordinary people have the power to shape society to be more alive, more sustainable and more just. A key to achieving this is for citizens to be involved and engaged in the process of change and the decisions that make it possible.
FINDING YOUR WAY
A participant who always knows best
At a meeting some participants cause irritation by insisting that they are always right and try to convince others that they are wrong. This can cause tension in the conversation.
How do you deal with this situation as a facilitator?
Dealing with power imbalance in the room
Some dialogue participants have more power than others or have a higher perceived status. This can result in some participants withdrawing and others becoming irritated or angry.
How do you as facilitator deal with a situation where there is a clear power imbalance in the room?