106313141681257827

How not to run a democracy. This article, sarcastically titled Grassroots Democracy in Iraq, American Style tells the story of a local leader in a Baghdad neighbourhood who, despite his gut instincts, decided to stand for local office in a new local council. The military convened the council, supervised the elections and gave the orders – representatives would not be paid, but would receive US military assistance in making local improvements.

The first job was to do a detailed assessment of the neighbourhood’s needs. The five member council undertook the assignment diligently and in nine days produced a thick report based on door to door interviews, grassroots consultation.

When the report was presented to the military, the council was dismissed and disbanded and no follow-up ensued.

Our hero, Majid, concluded that the process was a sham:

Now this could be read as a story of the sideways effort to rebuild Iraqi civil society, but the fact is that this is a parable for our times. In an age where people feel cut off from the systems of power, authority and control that seem to dominate lives, great cynicism takes root. When people like Majid, display passion for improving their lives, it is common to see governments, management or other structural homes for power and authority quashing that passion.

I’m sure everyone can think of examples where this kind of thing has happened here too. People are given some power to go out an make a difference and then their orders change and it all falls through. This is why I am hard on clients about sincere support for work done around community consultations, workplace evaluations and in Open Space.

The passion that people bring to tasks is a gift. To squander it or treat it contemptuously drives cynicism that undermines trust and healthy working relationships. That is true in communities, organizations and families.