Customer Reviews

The Politics of Hope: Reviving the Dream of Democracy

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3 star:		(1)
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Zajonc's book is applicable not only to American politics, but to Canadian as well. She speaks of four stages of political evolution, from anarchy and traditionalism, through resignation to the politics of hope.

In the spring of 2005, I was in the resignation stage. Never one to be involved in politics beyond voting on election day, I was fed up with the state of affairs in Ottawa. Government seemed to be more about destroying the other parties than about the good of the country.

There has to be a better way, I said to myself. I was soon surprising myself by entering the race for federal office. Over and over I heard myself saying, "We have to learn to work together." I am still saying this, and am so pleased to have found Zajonc's book as a concise and articulate voice toward that end.

The Politics of Hope is a brilliant treatise on the political picture in the US today. It filled me with a sense of hope for our future that I have not had in a long time. Donna Zajonc examines the evolution of political thought and action. She describes the collaborative climate that will help us move beyond the political quagmire we find ourselves in today. I sense an urgency to "get it out there" and I have fifteen to twenty friends who must read this.

The Politics of Hope lays out an insightful premise that I realize now is absolutely true:what distinguishes those political leaders who leave a positive and lasting impact on their world from those who don't is not political affiliation or fund raising skills or even organizational savvy. Its their stage of conscious development, an argument the author establishes with clarity, examples and compelling reason. I immediately understood why some leaders are attractive to me while others leave me hungry for something more. This could just as easily be a book about the evolution of conscious leadership, not just conscious political leadership.

A must read for anyone committed to social change on a local, state or national level. I was actually left with a greater sense of hope that it's not crazy but genuinely possible to cultivate greater consciousness in one's own leadership and that this act alone evokes greater contributions from those around us. The Politics of Hope shows there is something greater than fear to bring us forward as a nation and as a planet.

Donna Zajonc has created a thoughtful, hopeful and heartfelt approach to ending the politics of polarization and divisiveness so prevalent in our political conversations. The Politics of Hope helps us understand our individual and collective despair and resignation from an objective, evolutionary viewpoint. Zajonc offers a guide for generating a new political dialog, one focussed on collaboration to meet these challenging times. This book should be required reading for all elected officials and those who aspire to run for office as well as for citizens so that we can demand that our political leaders collaborate for the common good.

Donna Zajonc sees hope within the breakdowns of our current political system. She believes that these breakdowns will lead to positive breakthroughs and a collaborative, interconnected, genuine democracy will result. If that doesn't give you hope I'm not sure what will! Zajonc appreciates the all-evolving process of the democratic sytem, inspiring creation, participation and hope, rather than feelings of defeat, resignment and distrust.
Zajonc's "Seven Practices for Becoming a Conscious Public Leader" will completely shift your view on political leaders, challenging the generalizations and stereotypes associated with what seems like a hopeless, paralyzing system. She proposes several powerful concepts for our upcoming leaders, pushing politicians to view things differently--beyond current party structures--while challenging leaders to serve with only their highest motives and fulfill their greatest potential of integrity and genuine public service. This book may shift your view of "politics as a dirty word" to "politics of hope"; Nonetheless, it is like no political book I've read. You'll never see politics the same again! Pass it on!

Donna Zajonc's book makes one long for the Politics of Hope to become active in our lives and the lives of our political leaders. A learning experience. Imagine, a new way of listening!! One could almost wish the book carried the word "Politics" as a subtitle, as Zajonc truly brings "life wisdom" to the ordinary folks who are fortunate enough to read it. Thoughtful, intelligent, READABLE.

EDIT of 19 March 2008 to reframe appreciation. My first evalution was written from a perspective one who reads a great deal and is angry about the limitations of those with narrow perspectives. In the past year I have become much more aware of the importance of appreciating the good in context, and reinforcing it. Although I do not normally go back and re-do reviews, in this one instance I choose to do so because I now see the book as a serioius contributor to the emergence of Conscious Evolution.

This book is a fine summary based on the author's own experience of ideas that are discussed in greater detail and more diversity by Tom Atlee, James McGregor Burns, Robert Buckman, Allison Fine, Robert Fuller, William Greider, Richard Moore, Bill Moyer, Steven Pinker, James Rough, and many others.

Here are the topics covered in a very easy to read fast book:

Four Stages of Political Evolution
1) Anarchy
2) Fear & Polarization
3) Silence & Resignation
4) Politics of Hope

Seven Practices for Beocming a Concious Political Leader
1) Finding Your Spiritual Center
2) Serving with Higher Motives
3) Sharing Your Unique Gifts
4) Cultivating Your Political Habitat
5) Communicating with Integrity & Trust
6) Trusting the Mystery
7) Answering the Call

This is not a book I would recommend for those deeply engaged with all of these processes, but I can no longer dismiss it as completely as I once did.

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