The increasing and complex problems people face at world level as well as various kinds of corruption and deception responsible for these should be expected to lead to the involvement of many more concerned and sincere people in initiating change.
However an important factor which obstructs such involvement is that while the possibility of change is most identified with electoral politics, this has become so corrupt and manipulative in many places that the most sincere voices for genuine change are often lost in this. Even when some very sincere persons manage to cross the first few barriers because of their hard work and determination and that of their colleagues, they find their further path blocked by systemic obstructions. The entire process often turns out to be so discouraging that it puts off many people from trying again, although their sincerity is very much needed to bring real change.
However there can be a different approach which is likely to maintain morale at high levels and bring better results in due course. This is to keep a political movement constantly at a high level of activity and engagement with people, regardless of election cycles, on the basis of commitment to the truth, with truth being understood as the most sincere, uncompromising, evidence-based understanding of the existing (and recent) situation and the changes most needed in this situation. Further, such a political movement seeks change not only in the wider system but also among people, particularly in its own members, so that more and more people are also encouraged and enabled to become better human beings. Thus while electoral breakthroughs may be delayed due to systemic factors, even in its early stage this movement starts contributing to creating a better world and its own members also start experiencing a reduction of their distress and a strengthening of their commitment and capability.
To try to explain more clearly, the mobilisation I am suggesting here consists of several important aspects. Firstly, the movement creates a statement on the basis of extensive consultation regarding the state of the world (and any particular country), important aspects and causes of distress and high risks and the way forward for reducing these. Although this remains open, on the basis of past experience it may be stated very broadly that what is likely to emerge from extensive consultation is a path based on the precepts of justice and equality, peace and non-violence, protection of environment and biodiversity, transparency and democracy, decentralisation and cooperation, and these precepts will have to be applied in various situations to find satisfactory and meaningful solutions.
Secondly, these precepts and the skills of applying them in various situations to find solutions to various problems must be spread widely among people on a constant basis. Education must be understood more and more in this context.
Thirdly, and this is a very important but neglected aspect, this movement also creates encouraging and enabling environment for its members and supporters to make such changes in their life as will contribute to reducing their distress while increasing their capacity to contribute more to wider social change. To give an example, a person may be suffering distress in his life due to avoidable violence in his thinking and actions, various kinds of addictions and substance abuse, loneliness, breakdown of important social relationships etc. This social movement creates enabling and encouraging conditions for people to apply its precepts to their own life to get rid of many problems and causes of distress, while at the same time creating possibilities of very constructive engagements of its members at local levels and community gatherings, enlivened hopefully with music and dance.
Fourthly, when various election opportunities for public office emerge, whether at local at higher levels, then the political front of this movement participates in these, or independent candidates supported by the movement participate, in an energetic but calm way, not showing any signs of desperation. Regardless of electoral success or not, without being affected too much by it, the movement continues on its journey of truth as perceived and understood by it, a journey which is constantly improving social life and also contributing to a better life of its members and supporters.
Fifthly, I think of all this more in terms of worldwide change with the movements in various countries and places being supportive towards such change.
Sixth, these movements should concentrate more in terms of providing and advancing alternative paths instead of expanding most of their energy on the criticism of others. The overall approach should, as far as possible, be polite and not too aggressive, avoiding use of very strong language in the context of being critical towards others. In other words, the movement should always tell the truth as understood by it but as far as possible in relatively polite ways. Instead of insisting too much on inflicting very harsh punishments on those guilty of big misdeeds, the movement should place more emphasis on remedial actions and if those guilty of misdeeds are willing to accept their guilt and try to make up for this in various ways, then as far as possible this should be accepted.
Seventh, instead of merely speaking about alternatives, this movement should try, to the extent possible, to create examples of sustainable community life, natural farming, renewable energy, crafts and cottage industry, self-reliant rural life, eco-friendly urban life, equality based community life, cooperation among people in various ways for taking forward big tasks. All such efforts will help to increase hope and lead to further creative initiatives.
In keeping with the precepts it advances, this movement should be peaceful, non-violent, transparent and democratic. All its members need not agree with all decisions of the movement, or its political front. Members can continue to state publicly their differences on certain issues, while maintaining their unity with the movement at a wider level.
Ninth, despite remaining non-violent and polite, when the members of this movement face repression and violence, there should be arrangements for providing prompt help to them by the movement. There can also be wider arrangements for helping members in distress and systems of mutual support. When external efforts are made to harm the movement by planting hostile agents, there should be democratic methods in place for identifying and checking such harm at an early stage.
While more attention can certainly be given to issues closer to home, the movement should have universal concerns to create a safer, happier world and reduce distress and high risks at world level.
The movement should be able to attract and maintain support of people at various levels of involvement. Some may be able to give only less time, while some may be in a position to give most of their time. Some may lead from the front in peaceful agitations that can face repression, while some may contribute only in some low-risk constructive activities. The movement should be able to accept and appreciate whatever big or small support it gets from various supporters and members in terms of their ability to contribute. It should include a wide range of activities, all aimed at creating a better and safer world, so that various members and supporters can choose from several available avenues to make their contribution.
(The author writer is honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now; his recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food, A Day in 2071, Earth without Borders and Man over Machine—A Path to Peace)
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