Politics or Democracy?

When you can sit with someone who has diametrically opposed political beliefs and really listen without judgement, you are experiencing democracy. When the other can do that with you, you both have real power and the opportunity to co-create a great future based on respect and the right to freedom of speech. Truth always emerges in this climate of change.

POLITICS OR DEMOCRACY?

The world we live in is politics,
And the politician seeks influence,
For he is a populist,
She is taking advantage,
Of ignorance.

Do you believe what you hear?
Is this truth or dare?
Are opinions judgement?
Do we judge opinions?
When many voices are speaking,
Who is really listening?

Politics or democracy?
Is the choice of our time,
For one deceives,
The other receives,
World views are couched in popular language,
But what is the language of the populace?

To be able to stand without taking sides,
Is a skilful art,
One is listening and yet comes to no conclusion,
For how can one conclude when there is no other side,
All stories are told from different perspectives,
For each sees a different rationale,
And it is rationale to reserve judgement,
The truth is balanced reason,
And it is reasonable to seek the truth,
Balancing fact with fiction.

Conflict resolution seeks to resolve underlying conflict,
There is no right or wrong,
Weak or strong,
There are merely differences,
And the art of mediation is to allow each a perspective,
Without judgement,
Is to allow expression,
Without suppression,
For truth has many angles,
And who can say who is right.

The world is in conflict,
Where might is right,
Influence is power,
Power is utility,
But the people are not satisfied,
For they are unable to voice
Their concerns.

Democracy must be revived,
To not be seen to be,
But to value the right of all to their opinion,
Without undue influence,
With perseverance,
For nonviolence is the new creed,
That will expose greed,
When each person is an advocate
Of justice.

Deliberative polling,
Exposes expertise to public opinion,
For public forums that are interactive,
Respect democratic rights,
In his or her own right,
For each is an expert in life,
Each has an insight,
Many voices can create foresight,
Moving us away from the status quo.

Democracy hears the voice of the public,
Politics seeks to influence the voice,
One is lecturing,
The other listening,
One is unchallenged,
The other unpredictable,
For the greatest of ideas emerges
when we allow for spontaneity,
for the pearl can only emerge from the sand,
When friction reshapes and contours,
A new landscape,
And this is the civilised dialogue,
That leads by example,
For only by example can we lead.

For politics and religion
Will no longer create conflict and tension,
When all cards are on the table,
We are in this together,
And there are no more winning hands,
For it is to understand,
That how we play the game,
Matters most …
When we all win.