The Rise of the Political Entrepreneur - Rebellious Truth
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Dr. Ernie Prabhakar
Aug 20, 2012, 6:34:25 PM8/20/12
to Centroids Discussions
One more ally for the Social Entrepreneur Anti-Party :-)
http://www.rebellioustruths.org/the-rise-of-the-political-entrepreneur/
The Rise of the Political Entrepreneur
You’re reading this because you want to know, “what the hell is a ‘Political Entrepreneur’?” You need answers gosh dernit! It’s impossible that the latest buzz phrase has escaped your notice. Don’t stress, “Political Entrepreneur” hasn’t quite made the spotlight. . . but it will.
The established paradigms of political leadership and governing bureaucracy are failing us; locally, regionally, nationally and globally. If you need an explanation as to why this is, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in the world and are most likely living in an isolation tank beneath some concrete bunker in Barbados listening to loops of Enya and Kenny G. For the rest of us, we have come to realize that reforming aspects of the current status quo is essential, but it will only take us so far. To make the claim that we can “return to the old ways” denies the forward momentum of time and human progress, and wrongly asserts that the old ways worked for most. We are living in an exciting time of expansive digital and social frontiers, where old paradigms and beliefs are crumbling under the weight of parasitic systems and corruption, giving rise to intelligent tribes searching for new answers and constructs. Thus far, the architects of these pioneering paradigms have mostly revolved around technological start ups, product designs, green jobs, renewable energy and media. Yet one area that desperately needs new innovation and fresh ideas is perhaps the one most neglected: politics.
It’s admittedly a different kind of beast, more complicated, nuanced and potentially nasty. Yet the realm of politics, whether it’s government politics, education politics, media politics or business politics, often dictates the most fundamental aspects of our lives and society, and can prevent or prop up all other areas of innovation. Thus a few organizations have begun to pave the way into the wild jungles of politics in search of new practices. The work of these organizations range from developing new group dynamics and citizen engagement, to reinventing the top-down structure of leadership, breaking down ideological divides, developing new and innovative advocacy tools, technology to better receive vital information, more effective methods of social organization around important issues, changing cultural perceptions around politics and perhaps most importantly . . . citizen empowerment. These are just a few examples of how small startups, non-profits, benefit corporations and activist organizations are not just trying to be “against” something politically, but are using all their intelligence and creativity to build something better.
Who are some leading Political Entrepreneurs? There are a few of us out there, but Rebellious Truths (yes I am tooting my organization’s horn) presents little-known facts and corruption through artistic and passionate videos, is developing a nationwide network of organic communities dedicated to truth-seeking and experimenting with new models of citizen engagement called Project Truth, and has created innovative advocacy applications like its Facebook Truth Bomb to change the way the people’s voices are heard by their representatives. The company POPVOX is another example of political entrepreneurship, utilizing new technology and a simple-sleek format to keep citizens updated on what’s happening with their representatives and legislation and how they can take easy and direct action.
So why should these groups be called Political Entrepreneurs and how can you become one? For one, many of these groups don’t have a specific ideological or partisan agenda. Everyone tends to lean one way or another, but most of them aren’t trying to help one “side” win or lose. They are interested in creating new frameworks and tools to be used by everyone for more effective leadership and communication. They see a huge problem and a lack of adequate solutions, so they seek to fill that gap. They want to create new governing models, not just contribute to existing ones. Political Entrepreneurs simply want to build something better that would negate many of the problems that arise in the first place. They are trying to combine their altruistic goals with methods of actually creating wealth simultaneously, so as to not simply be reliant on the good fortune of others. What perhaps defines the Political Entrepreneur best from the rest, is their multi-faceted dimensionality. They are true children of the tech-times, modern jacks-of-all-trades, and action-oriented. They are combining new technologies, social networking, traditional and alternative business practices, new media understanding, open and diverse relationship building and a steadfast dedication to changing the world and a passion for politics, to create something magnificently modern. They are not afraid to learn from failure, and they don’t place all their faith in a select few, but themselves. These are all qualities of an entrepreneur, and these are all qualities we need to help repair and rebuild our failing political status quo.
So how to become one? Being that it’s a relatively new field, there isn’t one way to go about it. Basically, however, you need to look at the political system or the governing models of your country, state, city, county, town or local community and pin-point: what is failing, what are the problems, and how could I go about fixing it or finding/creating a solution. Maybe you think that not enough people are aware of what’s happening in local town halls and want to devise a system of allowing everyone in your community to be able to watch town halls online and give their feedback and ask questions virtually. Perhaps the youth in your city aren’t engaged in the political system enough so you devise a creative contest around “getting the youth active” and develop partnerships, distribution networks, and hold an event around the contest winners. I’d bet money most people find reading legislative documents incredibly boring . . . devise a way to make them interesting and simple without eroding the important facts. Do students know what decisions are being made about their university and how they can affect them? Do small business leaders have an effective system for communicating with one another and organizing around things that benefit small businesses? If you’re a big dreamer, maybe you want to create an entirely new governing dynamic and thus create both a virtual and physical test model amongst people you know or local communities and register its effectiveness. Big things have small beginnings, and who knows, your start-up, project, nonprofit, experiment could someday become the way things get done because it’s just better than what’s out there.
Just because a person is a Political Entrepreneur, doesn’t mean they aren’t a million other things too. That’s the beauty of political entrepreneurship. You don’t need to devote (though it helps) everything to your political entrepreneurship project, but it can be an integral aspect of something else you’re doing or a side thing. Anyone who is actively seeking out ways to change or vastly improve the political system and governing status quo through the methods mentioned above, can wear the honorary badge of Political Entrepreneur. Tell, text, and tweet everyone you know that “I’m a Political Entrepreneur,” among all your other special talents, and that you, and all those like you, will soon be in the spotlight as visionary change agents in this country and beyond.
Welcome to the dawning of political entrepreneurship, may our business change the world for the better.
http://www.rebellioustruths.org/the-rise-of-the-political-entrepreneur/
The Rise of the Political Entrepreneur
You’re reading this because you want to know, “what the hell is a ‘Political Entrepreneur’?” You need answers gosh dernit! It’s impossible that the latest buzz phrase has escaped your notice. Don’t stress, “Political Entrepreneur” hasn’t quite made the spotlight. . . but it will.
The established paradigms of political leadership and governing bureaucracy are failing us; locally, regionally, nationally and globally. If you need an explanation as to why this is, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in the world and are most likely living in an isolation tank beneath some concrete bunker in Barbados listening to loops of Enya and Kenny G. For the rest of us, we have come to realize that reforming aspects of the current status quo is essential, but it will only take us so far. To make the claim that we can “return to the old ways” denies the forward momentum of time and human progress, and wrongly asserts that the old ways worked for most. We are living in an exciting time of expansive digital and social frontiers, where old paradigms and beliefs are crumbling under the weight of parasitic systems and corruption, giving rise to intelligent tribes searching for new answers and constructs. Thus far, the architects of these pioneering paradigms have mostly revolved around technological start ups, product designs, green jobs, renewable energy and media. Yet one area that desperately needs new innovation and fresh ideas is perhaps the one most neglected: politics.
It’s admittedly a different kind of beast, more complicated, nuanced and potentially nasty. Yet the realm of politics, whether it’s government politics, education politics, media politics or business politics, often dictates the most fundamental aspects of our lives and society, and can prevent or prop up all other areas of innovation. Thus a few organizations have begun to pave the way into the wild jungles of politics in search of new practices. The work of these organizations range from developing new group dynamics and citizen engagement, to reinventing the top-down structure of leadership, breaking down ideological divides, developing new and innovative advocacy tools, technology to better receive vital information, more effective methods of social organization around important issues, changing cultural perceptions around politics and perhaps most importantly . . . citizen empowerment. These are just a few examples of how small startups, non-profits, benefit corporations and activist organizations are not just trying to be “against” something politically, but are using all their intelligence and creativity to build something better.
Who are some leading Political Entrepreneurs? There are a few of us out there, but Rebellious Truths (yes I am tooting my organization’s horn) presents little-known facts and corruption through artistic and passionate videos, is developing a nationwide network of organic communities dedicated to truth-seeking and experimenting with new models of citizen engagement called Project Truth, and has created innovative advocacy applications like its Facebook Truth Bomb to change the way the people’s voices are heard by their representatives. The company POPVOX is another example of political entrepreneurship, utilizing new technology and a simple-sleek format to keep citizens updated on what’s happening with their representatives and legislation and how they can take easy and direct action.
So why should these groups be called Political Entrepreneurs and how can you become one? For one, many of these groups don’t have a specific ideological or partisan agenda. Everyone tends to lean one way or another, but most of them aren’t trying to help one “side” win or lose. They are interested in creating new frameworks and tools to be used by everyone for more effective leadership and communication. They see a huge problem and a lack of adequate solutions, so they seek to fill that gap. They want to create new governing models, not just contribute to existing ones. Political Entrepreneurs simply want to build something better that would negate many of the problems that arise in the first place. They are trying to combine their altruistic goals with methods of actually creating wealth simultaneously, so as to not simply be reliant on the good fortune of others. What perhaps defines the Political Entrepreneur best from the rest, is their multi-faceted dimensionality. They are true children of the tech-times, modern jacks-of-all-trades, and action-oriented. They are combining new technologies, social networking, traditional and alternative business practices, new media understanding, open and diverse relationship building and a steadfast dedication to changing the world and a passion for politics, to create something magnificently modern. They are not afraid to learn from failure, and they don’t place all their faith in a select few, but themselves. These are all qualities of an entrepreneur, and these are all qualities we need to help repair and rebuild our failing political status quo.
So how to become one? Being that it’s a relatively new field, there isn’t one way to go about it. Basically, however, you need to look at the political system or the governing models of your country, state, city, county, town or local community and pin-point: what is failing, what are the problems, and how could I go about fixing it or finding/creating a solution. Maybe you think that not enough people are aware of what’s happening in local town halls and want to devise a system of allowing everyone in your community to be able to watch town halls online and give their feedback and ask questions virtually. Perhaps the youth in your city aren’t engaged in the political system enough so you devise a creative contest around “getting the youth active” and develop partnerships, distribution networks, and hold an event around the contest winners. I’d bet money most people find reading legislative documents incredibly boring . . . devise a way to make them interesting and simple without eroding the important facts. Do students know what decisions are being made about their university and how they can affect them? Do small business leaders have an effective system for communicating with one another and organizing around things that benefit small businesses? If you’re a big dreamer, maybe you want to create an entirely new governing dynamic and thus create both a virtual and physical test model amongst people you know or local communities and register its effectiveness. Big things have small beginnings, and who knows, your start-up, project, nonprofit, experiment could someday become the way things get done because it’s just better than what’s out there.
Just because a person is a Political Entrepreneur, doesn’t mean they aren’t a million other things too. That’s the beauty of political entrepreneurship. You don’t need to devote (though it helps) everything to your political entrepreneurship project, but it can be an integral aspect of something else you’re doing or a side thing. Anyone who is actively seeking out ways to change or vastly improve the political system and governing status quo through the methods mentioned above, can wear the honorary badge of Political Entrepreneur. Tell, text, and tweet everyone you know that “I’m a Political Entrepreneur,” among all your other special talents, and that you, and all those like you, will soon be in the spotlight as visionary change agents in this country and beyond.
Welcome to the dawning of political entrepreneurship, may our business change the world for the better.
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