// Individual Arena

Positive Politics Starts with the Individual

At base, politics involves individuals. Positive politics require that we consider and respect individuals as unique — each with feelings, needs, and viewpoints. Always be mindful of diversity and respect how each person's mental model, worldview, basic needs, and priorities may motivate them to support or oppose something.

The Four Individual Principles

Principle 02

Mental Models

Each of us models reality in our brain. Since each of us experiences reality through our senses differently, our model of reality will be different from that of others. But the more our senses experience the same reality as another person or group, the more our mental model will resemble those with similar experiences.

Principle 03

Worldviews

For our worldview, each of us uses a set of default lenses to limit and make sense of the mass of information that otherwise would swamp our minds. Although we may experience the same reality, individuals will interpret that reality in different ways as influenced by their worldviews.

Principle 01

Basic Needs

Every individual needs food, shelter, social belonging, and political place. To win cooperation, acknowledge and share your own needs and aspirations. Our common humanity is the ultimate ground enabling us to negotiate successfully — the starting place for change management and political problem solving.

Principle 04

Priorities

Individual priorities arise when the real world challenges our mental model, worldview, and basic needs. Only when I acknowledge my own objectives and affirm those of others can I build and maintain relationships. Justice, fairness, and success come from blending our priorities with those of others.

Positive politics may take longer — but we achieve more and have more fun doing it.

Topics

Worldviews Mental Models Institutions Law Authority Community Power Basic Needs Priorities Organization Politics Communication Sacred Truths Governance Citizenship Culture