Her much-beloved 3-million copy Diet for a Small Planet continues to change lives. Now, Getting a Grip 2— rewritten for the new dacade— speaks to anyone seeking direction in a challenging time. Busting through the political and cultural deadlock, Lappé offers an original, surprising pathway forward.
Acknowledgements xiii
Opening Note xv
Clarity
1 A Species Grows Up 3
what is our problem? 5
and our not-so-lovely potencial? 19
standing up for ourselves 23
big mind, big problem…or not? 25
when a tree falls 27
2 Where Did Our Power Go? 31
the spiral of powerlessness 32
speeding the spiral 35
elections plus a market…that's democracy? 37
lizzie's lessons 38
thin democracy's dangers 41
thin democracy, the victor? not really 42
3 New Eyes 55
the path 57
of means and ends 61
an ecology of democracy: five qualities 63
speeding a spiral of hope in action 74
4 What Democracy Feels Like 77
nine dimensions: some glimpses 78
why now? four revolutions 106
Creativity
5 Power Invisible 117
one choice we don't have 118
mirrors in our brains 119
power isn't a four letter word 122
relational power's under appreciated sources 124
drops count 127
6 The Art of Power 129
democracy's arts 131
the power of simply listening 132
conflict as creative 135
kids learns conflict is okay 138
7 Talking Democracy 141
finding our words 145
anti-capitalism or anti-plutonomy? 145
globalization on global corporate power? 146
free market-free trade or fair market-fair trade? 148
regularions or standards? 149
consumers or buyers? 149
engaging in the dialogue of democracy 150
Courage
8 Seize the Moment 157
trapped and springing free 158
a rude shock 161
letting go of illusions 163
9 When Fear Means Go 165
fear as pure energy 167
fear and conflict 168
as it is 171
old thoughts, new thoughts 173
inner applause 174
10 Sanity in Motion 177
remembering how we got here 178
seeing pattern, I can begin 180
a cautionary tale: the danger of good intentions 182
changing course—issues versus entry points 183
breaking die spell 209
an internal checklist 210
justice, please meet democracy 213
justice and democracy—soft-wired partners 214
bold humility 216
civil courage 217
our moment 220
An Invitation 223
Recommended Reading 225
Endnotes 229
Index 243
Overview
Her much-beloved 3-million copy Diet for a Small Planet continues to change lives. Now, Getting a Grip 2— rewritten for the new dacade— speaks to anyone seeking direction in a challenging time. Busting through the political and cultural deadlock, Lappé offers an original, surprising pathway forward.