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Specialized Massively Parallel Roles / Tasks >
Conflict Actors
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Harry Boyte Talks with Heidi Burgess about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and the Lessons it Can Teach Us
Harry Boyte explained how the ideas of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s and 1960s can be adapted by anyone wanting to make positive change in their communities and their societies.
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Harry Boyte and Marie-Louise Ström: Constructive Nonviolence
Constructive nonviolence can be a profound resource for addressing injustice, repairing torn relationships, and creating healthy civic life. And it is something we all can do, everyday.
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The Importance of the Rule of Law, Checks and Balances
Rule of law and checks and balances are key elements of liberal democracy. Rule of law means that laws apply to everyone and procedures and policies should follow those laws. Checks and balances mean that the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are independent of each other and provide checks on the over reach of the others.
BI Article
Empowerment
Saul Alinsky wrote, "I tell people to hell with charity, the only thing you'll get is what you're strong enough to get." This essay discusses what empowerment is, how it can be accomplished, who should do it, when, and what the outcomes might be.
BI Article
Nonviolence and Nonviolent Direct Action
A summary of the theory and practice of nonviolent direct action as it has been used in the past and how it is being used now in 2020.
BI Article
Power Sharing
If parties in intractable conflicts reach a stalemate but are unwilling to give up their power, they may choose a power sharing agreement, which would allow all major parties to retain their power. Power sharing is also sometimes implemented during transitions between authoritarian and democratic rule.
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Civic Skill Builders
Civic Skill Builders teach citizens about the advantages of democratic systems and how to use those systems to constructively handle the large number of difficult conflicts that inevitably occur in any modern society.
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Civic Reformers
Civic Reformers work to strengthen institutions in ways that promote wise and equitable problem-solving, while limiting incentives that lead to hyper-polarization and corruption.
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Ethical Politicians
Ethical Politicians are committed to serving all citizens with honest debate and a refusal to engage in hate mongering and other destructive tactics.
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Engaged Citizens
Engaged citizens are the people who go beyond political hobbyism to actively participate in democratic governance. They serve on advisory committees, support and participate in public interest groups, testify at public hearings, and actively work within their communities to find solutions to common problems
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Arbitrators and Adjudicators
Arbitrators and Adjudicators work with legal representatives of contending parties in both private and public settings to resolve disputes about what, exactly, the rule-of-law means in specific situations.
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Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Officials at all levels are charged with preventing citizens from defying the law. Without the remedies that their efforts provide, our legal rights could easily be violated by anyone willing and able to resort to violence and intimidation.
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Empowerment Leaders
Empowerment Leaders highlight and work to correct the society's most egregious power inequities and the unfairness that results from those inequities. Their focus is not on "getting even," but rather, they try to build a system that more equitably balances power in ways that all citizens will see as offering a path to a society that is fair for everyone.
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Nonviolent Protestors
One kind of empowerment actor, nonviolent protestors, follow the long tradition of nonviolent civil resistance made famous by Gandhi, King, and Mandela. While embracing a commitment to nonviolence, they demand that ongoing injustices be properly addressed, and appeal for democracy to live up to the true meaning of its egalitarian ideals.
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Network Builders
Network Builders bring those working to strengthen democracy into mutually supportive networks which increases the effectiveness of all.
Related Folders
The Importance of the Rule of Law, Checks and Balances
Rule of law and checks and balances are key elements of liberal democracy. Rule of law means that laws apply to everyone and procedures and policies should follow those laws. Checks and balances mean that the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are independent of each other and provide checks on the over reach of the others.
Related Folders
Empowerment Leaders
Empowerment Leaders highlight and work to correct the society's most egregious power inequities and the unfairness that results from those inequities. Their focus is not on "getting even," but rather, they try to build a system that more equitably balances power in ways that all citizens will see as offering a path to a society that is fair for everyone.
Related Folders
Power Grabbers
Unfortunately, there are people whose principal goal in life is to seek power -- power that enables them to exploit and dictate the beliefs and behaviors of others.
Colleague Activities
Women's Power Collaborative
The only national-level body dedicated to achieving a gender-balanced democracy by networking, strategizing, resource-sharing and helping women run for office.