arts & ideas
“What Society do we want, and how do we get there?” Action Research Questions for co-creating a threefold commonwealth society
by Martin Large “What kind of society do we want, and how do we get there?” These were the burning questions that emerged from a November 2016 lecture tour (made possible by generous friends and hosts). This took me from NYC, through NY State, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, then California, to finish in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the Biodynamic Association Conference. This lecture tour was originally about Rudolf Steiner’s social threefolding vision for society and land trusteeship. However, it was ambushed by the surprise election of Trump on November 8th. Just as the Brexit referendum shook Britain on June 23rd, the Trump election also shocked many Americans. Some people even talked of “8/11” as a follow up to “9/11.” So with a Sacramento audience we asked, “What kind of society do we want, and how do we get there?” We explored the Trump, Clinton, and Sanders visions for the USA, and then the relevance of Rudolf Steiner’s threefold commonwealth. They contrasted Clinton’s neoliberal, market-fundamentalist, corporation-friendly approach with the Trump rentier-capitalist, xenophobic, macho, racist, narcissistic, tax-avoiding, protectionist, “America first,” approach. The Sanders vision of free higher education, better healthcare, jobs, fair taxes, social inclusion, affordable housing, and solidarity was seen as different, as was his personal integrity. For me, a breakthrough light bulb moment was on the one hand to reflect on the comment and analysis coming from Brexit and the Trump election. On the other hand, it was possible to see these as societal turning points, where Steiner’s social threefolding vision could be distilled into four, simple yet profound, action research questions. We can then answer these questions practically, or with a particular personal reformulation of the question that works for us. Instead of feeling powerless and confused, we can take constructive action. The questions are as follows: »» How are we developing a generative, mutual economy that works for all? (brotherhood) 30 • being human
»» How are we caring for the earth? (sustainability) »» How are we engaging politically for human rights, a more participative democracy, social justice, social inclusion, equity, and peace? (equality) »» How are we enabling creative, dynamic cultural life where every person can develop and maintain their whole human potential? (freedom) At Sacramento, we also discussed the historic opportunity offered by the collapse of the neoliberal, marketfundamentalist ideology to draw on Steiner’s seminal social thinking. The above four action research questions can be used personally, by groups and organizations. Such work can make a difference—cultural, political, environmental, and economic—at a local, city, and state level. We can start, or build further, from where we are. The Burlington, Vermont “model” where Bernie Sanders had been the mayor came up as an example close to social threefolding. Some people said that we face such dangerous times that we need to prepare realistically for the worst, yet also prepare for the best. However, I saw signs of hope everywhere I went, the “blessed unrest” of individuals, groups, and movements making a difference. There were thriving social businesses, biodynamic farms, healthy towns, creative schools, community gardens, social movements like the Dakota pipeline protest, innovative housing schemes, civic initiatives, and impressive evidence of good old American “can do.” In New York, the city’s social landscape has been changed by the work of green guerrilla gardeners transforming waste lots, city parks, growing good food, addressing food poverty, increasing human security, and community building. In some small towns and city neighborhoods, you can see things like co-ops, community farms, free medical and dental services and signs of a thriving cultural life. These green shoots can be seen as openings for a “commonwealth society.” This is emerging all over the world. We only need to see what is happening, inquire, understand what is emerging, and connect up the dots. We live in a creative, enterprising age, and the lid just cannot be put on this social ferment. continues on page 35 »»