Corinne McLaughlin
5 Years Jain Spirit - A Non-Profit Quarterly Publication - 1999-2004
5 years Jain Spirit magazine - A non-profit International Quarterly Publication - #19Beyond 'Left' and 'Right'
Jain Spirit #19, pages 68-69Compromise is not the most effective way to deal with polarities, as sometimes the deeper wisdom in each side is lost. A spirit of goodwill towards those with opposing views, a win/win rather than win/lose approach and a compassionate, healing spirit are the keys to this new politics.
In Washington, as well as many European capitals, there has been much talk in recent years of the need for bi-partisanship, for policies that transcend left and right. This makes a neat rhetorical formula, but in itself offers little insight into what might be found in the new lands beyond liberal and conservative. The present state of political polarization, and the revival of old certainties, makes the task of fleshing out an intelligible new politics more urgent than before.
To transcend left and right and create a better world, a fundamental shift is needed. We must address our polarized, adversarial way of thinking and create a profound change in consciousness at a deep level. Einstein reminded us that we can't solve a problem with the same level of consciousness that created the problem. "Two sides disagree," he noted, "because they're both wrong."
But from a spiritual perspective, is there any deeper reason for left and right or for a two-party system? Yes, there is: behind each party is a key principle or essence, even though our modern Democratic and Republican parties may not clearly embody these essential principles. The liberal or progressive party theoretically represents the future, the next evolutionary ideas and the need for change. The conservative party theoretically preserves the best of the past, and makes sure that change isn't so rapid that 'the baby is thrown out with the bath water'. Clearly there is a certain wisdom in both of these principles, and each is needed to balance the other.
'All great truths are paradoxes' was a profound teaching of the ancient philosophers. In the great mystery schools of Greece and Egypt, the initiates were given training in paradoxical thinking - how to hold two opposing truths in their minds at the same time and then resolve them into a higher synthesis. Learning to do this could be an important skill for today's politicians seeking to bring together the best of conservative and liberal ideas.
This is not to say that partisanship is always wrong or that all polarities must always be resolved or that common ground (or even compromise) is always the highest spiritual path. Each party has the responsibility to present their point of view with clarity and reason and allow the people to decide how much of their viewpoint to embrace. Also, there are clearly times to fight against injustice. Nearly every religion has a tradition of the spiritual warrior who defends the weak. In Jainism, the word 'Jina' means conqueror, or one who has achieved his or her own spiritual victory. Peaceful conditions can be fruitful for nurturing the spiritual development of a nation, however, if the peace is an enforced, authoritarian one without justice, then forcefully challenging the status quo is an act of spiritual power.
If the motive for bi-partisanship is not genuine or when it's not undertaken to serve the highest good of all but merely a power move disguised in idealistic language, then it should be challenged, not embraced. There are often wolves in sheep's clothing, cloaking their nefarious goals in ideals such as bi-partisanship. When the motives are at least relatively pure on both sides, and yet there are clearly different perspectives on policy issues based on different philosophies, cultures, histories, etc., this a real opportunity to find higher common ground and synthesis. More effective and creative policies can result from a synthesis of the best ideas on both sides of an issue.
Synthesis is very different from compromise. Compromise is not the most effective way to deal with polarities, as sometimes the deeper wisdom in each side is lost. Compromise usually includes half of each position and can be seen as the midway point between two polarities. We must therefore broaden our consciousness so that we can appreciate the best in both liberal and conservative perspectives on an issue, and hold the highest aspects of both in our consciousness at the same time. We can use our intuition to raise them up to discover a higher level: a true synthesis. Then we will see that a political issue that seems to be a paradox on a lower level is actually a great political truth on a higher level.
To transcend the polarities in a true sense - to achieve what Carl Jung called the 'creative function' - we have to go to a higher, spiritual level. The two polarities are drawn at each end of a straight line, and a triangle is drawn from each end of the line up to a point above, the point of synthesis.
George Hegel described this approach over a century ago as: 'thesis, anti-thesis, synthesis.' To move into this position of synthesis, we must be willing to see the good in an opponent's position and realise that each of us sees only a part of the whole view. It also helps to distance ourselves from the problem and develop more detachment from our own position - so that change won't threaten our sense of identity.
The philosophical dividing line between the liberal and conservative positions is a disagreement over whether social problems are caused by economic factors or by a breakdown in individual values, and thus whether government or individual solutions are best. Conservatives argue that the problem is with values, and see little benefit, for example, in the government spending more on the poor. Liberals argue that having good values doesn't help if there is not equal economic opportunity for all. Both liberals and conservatives promote important spiritual values. The liberal left promotes the values of generosity, tolerance and inclusiveness. The conservative right promotes values of self-help, hard work and initiative.
A synthesis of conservative and liberal economic approaches can temper free market capitalism with other values such as community, equity and compassion. Balancing market efficiency with social justice could create a better society. Tax incentives could be created for corporations to expand the bottom line from mere profit to profit and values (such as greater employee benefits, "flexi time", or protection of the environment). Competitive markets could be balanced by government policies that provide workers with access to job training, health care and transportation. Or the rewards of a market economy could be redistributed through a progressive consumption tax that encourages investment and assures a minimum standard of living for all. The government could create greater opportunities for the poor, but those who receive benefits would then be required to live up to certain obligations and give something back to society.
To create a truly new politics that transcends left and right, new ways of thinking are needed. There are, as yet, no complete roadmaps. An expansion in consciousness is required and a developing ability to transcend apparent paradoxes and enfold them into a higher unity. An identification with the good of the whole rather than with just our own group's needs will take us far in creating a new approach. A spirit of goodwill towards those with opposing views, a win/win rather than win/lose approach and a compassionate, healing spirit are the keys to this new politics.
Corinne McLaughlin is Executive Director of The Center for Visionary Leadership in Washington, D.C and San Francisco, visionarylead.org