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presents

Becoming Part of the Solution:

A Course in Post-Progressive Politics

with Steve McIntosh

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Course Curriculum

Week 1

Toward a Politics of Culture

February 17

Hyperpolarization is a cultural problem that requires a cultural solution. In this introduction to Developmental Politics, we will come to appreciate the deep cultural structures that shape our democracy. The challenge of America’s hyperpolarization requires an “outside and above” perspective that’s neither left, right, nor center. Once gained, this overview perspective paves the way for a new kind of politics that can overcome the culture war.

week 2

Modernism, Traditionalism, and Progressivism

February 24

The rise of modernity has created more cultural evolution than any worldview before or since. In fact, modernity is the water in which we swim while valuing the larger cultural ecosystem, particularly the interdependence of traditionalism and progressivism. By examining Progressive Postmodernism inside and out, we appreciate the challenge it poses and the needed new level of care it brings. 

week 3

The Political Practice of Integrating Value Polarities

MARCH 3

When faced with a positive-positive value polarity, the best way to advance the values of our preferred pole is to affirm the values of the pole we oppose. By examining polarities on the left and right, we come to see how we can tease apart the dignities from the disasters of each worldview.

week 4

The Post-Progressive Perspective and Method

MARCH 10

The key to quelling our cultural conflict is to expand the scope of what Americans can truly value. This focus on expanding and integrating values constitutes the practice of “cultural intelligence,” which provides the first steps toward “integral consciousness.” Cultural intelligence is the key method for ”post-progressive” politics.

week 5

The Physics of Value

MARCH 17

By recognizing the energetic properties of value, we can improve our definition of improvement itself. This in turn reveals the central political significance of transcendent ideals. This new understanding of the “physics” of value is based on the central “New Truth” of integral philosophy—that consciousness evolves.

week 6

Toward a New American Dream

MARCH 24

Revivifying our collective vision of transcendence can lead to our political renewal. Cultural evolution, on every front of its development, becomes the new American Dream. This insight leads to a threefold strategy for fostering cultural evolution as a political and social project.

week 7

Virtue Practice

MARCH 31

The practice of the virtues can become a politically unifying force in American culture. With the exploration of each virtue, we also put them into practice - specifically, the why, what, and how. 

week 8

Reclaiming the Ideal of Progress

APRIL 7

Post-progressive politics seeks to revision and revive American cultural beliefs in civilizational progress. The key to reclaiming our collective vision of progress involves connecting our near-term political progress with the cosmic progress of evolution as a whole.

week 9

Post-Progressive Activism

APRIL 14

The final week focuses on personal activism. We discuss how people can create powerful vehicles for their own political expression. We also review the 5-year activism plan of the Institute for Cultural Evolution for its mission of building a post-progressive political movement.

Join Us for Becoming Part of the Solution, starting on February 17th

9-week online course on Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm EST
February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31, April 7, April 14

(Weekly talks will be recorded for student viewing should  a class be missed.)

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About Steve McIntosh

Steve McIntosh, J.D., is president and cofounder of the Institute for Cultural Evolution think tank. He is author of the recent book: Developmental Politics—How America Can Grow Into a Better Version of Itself (Paragon House 2020), and coauthor of: Conscious Leadership—Elevating Humanity Through Business (Penguin 2020), with John Mackey and Carter Phipps. McIntosh is also author of three previous books on integral philosophy. 

Before becoming a writer and social entrepreneur, he had a variety of other successful careers, including founding the consumer products company Now & Zen, and practicing law with one of America’s largest firms. His innovative political thinking has been featured on NPR, USA Today, The Daily Beast, Real Clear Politics, The Hill, and in a wide variety of other media. McIntosh is a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, and the University of Southern California Business School. His author website is: www.stevemcintosh.com

Acclaim for Steve McIntosh

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“Developmental Politics is essential reading for those who are concerned about the dysfunctional condition of America’s democracy.”

― John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Markets, and coauthor of Conscious Capitalism

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The Aligned Center is your home online, and on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River in New York, for classes, community and mentorship in Aligned Living. Visit us at www.thealignedcenter.com to learn more about our classes in Mind-Body Awareness, Work & Wealth Abundance, Heartfelt Community and Knowledge of Systems. 

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$299

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$99

/month for 3 months

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