Holistic Democracy: What is It?

By Philip Woods

Holistic democracy is a way of working together which encourages individuals to grow and learn as whole people and facilitates co-responsibility, mutual empowerment and fair participation of all in co-creating their social and organisational environment. Four dimensions of practice are at its core:

- holistic meaning : aspiring to as true an understanding as possible not only of technical and scientific matters but also the ‘big’ questions of enduring values, meaning and purpose, through development of all our human capabilities - from the intellectual to the spiritual

- power sharing : inclusive participation in shaping organisational operations, policy, direction and values, and autonomy to exercise initiative within the parameters of agreed values and responsibilities

- transforming dialogue : a climate where exchange of views and open debate are possible, and people co-operatively seek to enhance mutual understanding and reach beyond narrow perspectives and interests

- holistic well-being : sense of belonging, deep connectedness, inner knowing, feelings of empowerment, self-esteem, and independent-mindedness through democratic participation.

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Originally posted here.