Positional vs process stances

Human history is littered with failed social experiments to launch economic alternatives to unbridled greed, exploitation and abuse. In my view, each of these utopian ambitions met their demise because they took a positional stance against the market economy. They sought to isolate themselves in order to remain untainted by the toxic culture they opposed. As I've been imagining the next economy, I've envisioned it working with, rather than working against big corporations, government controls and proprietary interests. Instead of taking a positional stance against the current world order, this economy takes a process stance toward the future.

When we take a process stance, we are saying "yes" to the process instead of saying "no" to the opposition. We see a process in those who oppose the innovations and collaborations that will change their game. We see how innovations can emerge and incumbent systems self-destruct without forcing either outcome. Both occur naturally through inherent growth processes toward more cohesion, sustainability and resilience.

When we take a process stance, we switch from following procedures to processing whatever occurs. We've opened our minds to fresh thoughts and opened our systems to outside influences. We extend the boundary of inclusion to welcome outsiders who can benefit from the processes within. We see ways to work with those with different interests, outlooks and stories. We avoid taking evidence literally so that we're free to change the meaning, diagnosis or frame of reference in use.

Using a process stance also sets us up to win without a battle. Rather than making enemies or war with the opposing side, we make like we're facing a mystery. We don't know what will come of the conflict, so we work on knowing ourselves and our enemies deeply. We see how much we have in common, how much each has at stake, and how much freedom to maneuver is available to both. We avoid the pitfalls of assumptions, vengeance or control dramas. We use our not-knowing to become trouble for opposing positional stances. We trust the processes of bubbles getting burst and fears coming true. We watch as the others find they are being  over-confident, delusional and too smart for their own good.

Taking a process stance can break this pattern of failed social experiments. Success will enliven the participates and invite others to join in without a hard sell or big expense. It's value will be so evident and enticing that the replacement economy will "sell itself".