Welcome to my blog! Every week or so, I post an article on something involving wicked problems in peacebuilding or comparative politics. I define those fields very broadly, so you’ll probably be surprised by some of the topics I end up covering.

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Recent Posts

Connecting the Dots Across Generations

June 28th, 2021|Comments Off on Connecting the Dots Across Generations

Connecting the Dots Across Generations I haven’t written a blog post in three weeks. No, I haven’t been goofing off or enjoying our return to so-called normal. Instead, I’ve been trying [...]

Political Therapy–2

June 8th, 2021|Comments Off on Political Therapy–2

The second in a pair of posts about the need for society-wide therapy in response to the crises of the 2020s.

Political Therapy–1

May 31st, 2021|Comments Off on Political Therapy–1

The first of two blog posts on why we need social therapy. Inspired by my own therapist, of course.

Democracy in America

May 12th, 2021|Comments Off on Democracy in America

Many of us think that democracy is under threat in the United States. In this week's post, I discuss how and why people reach such a conclusion, if it warranted, and, especially, what we can do about it.

Having Fun While Building Peace

April 20th, 2021|Comments Off on Having Fun While Building Peace

Having Fun While Building Peace I’m told that I’m pretty funny,This is the first time I've used footnotes in a blog post. It's fitting that the post is about humor. [...]

Getting Beyond High Conflict

April 6th, 2021|Comments Off on Getting Beyond High Conflict

In this week's post, I use publication of Amanda Ripley's new book, High Conflict, to discuss how her work has changed the way I do my own work.

Finding the Dots

March 30th, 2021|Comments Off on Finding the Dots

I will be writing a book on social change called Connecting the Dots. Here is my reasoning fo rch

The World is Messed Up Discuss

March 18th, 2021|Comments Off on The World is Messed Up Discuss

Three events in the late 1980s turned my professional and political life around. They are still relevant today. Not just for me. For you, too.

Connecting the Dots

March 8th, 2021|Comments Off on Connecting the Dots

This blog post is actually a draft of the first chapter of my next book, tentatively entitled, Connecting the Dots, in which i'll try to show how young people are leading the way toward taking peacebuilding, democracy, and social justice to scale.

Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

February 21st, 2021|Comments Off on Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

It is high time that people in the conflict resolution and peacebuilding communities started working with each other once more--the way we did when our field was created almost 40 years ago.

The Peacebuilding Pivot

February 7th, 2021|Comments Off on The Peacebuilding Pivot

Like basketball big men (and women), we peacebuilders have to learn to pivot into new and more productive ways of doing our work, most notably by joining forces with existing movements for social change and social justice.

Peacebuilding Entrepreneurs

February 3rd, 2021|Comments Off on Peacebuilding Entrepreneurs

I increasingly find myself working with students and young professionals who are trying to build a career in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. I often realize that they should start their own initiatives. Here's why.

USTRHT

January 26th, 2021|Comments Off on USTRHT

The USTRHT is one of a number of initiatives that is working to strengthen and build ties across racial lines in the United States. In our case, we focus on reconciliation and healing.

Corrigan

January 18th, 2021|Comments Off on Corrigan

Kelly Corrigan is an accidental peacebuilder. She also is a great one And a funny one. Learn more about her work here.

On Coups and Reconciliation

January 7th, 2021|Comments Off on On Coups and Reconciliation

First thoughts on the implications of Wednesday's coup attempt for peacebuilders and others working for nonviolent social change.

Tackling the Issues

January 4th, 2021|Comments Off on Tackling the Issues

How should we peacebuilders tackle the issues facing this country, especially those that have thrown us all for a loop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Democratic Crisis

December 29th, 2020|Comments Off on Democratic Crisis

Democracies around the world are in trouble. Read about some things we Americans can do not only to meet the challenges but make democracy far stronger.

Reconciliation 2020

November 30th, 2020|Comments Off on Reconciliation 2020

This post explores why reconciliation has to be part of whatever we peacebuilders do after the 2020 presidential election

Getting (Politically) Unstuck

November 23rd, 2020|Comments Off on Getting (Politically) Unstuck

As a country, we're stuck in a rut. We know we face enormous problems. Yet, we can't seem to do much about them. This post lets you see why taking a step back and viewing our problems from a broader perspective might help.

Bringing Out the Best in Us

November 11th, 2020|Comments Off on Bringing Out the Best in Us

The first of xis pots on what we can do after the election as peacebuilders and more. Based on my encounter with Reos Partners and a recent statement by the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

World Peace and Other Fourth Grade Achievements

November 2nd, 2020|Comments Off on World Peace and Other Fourth Grade Achievements

The World Peace Game is a remarkable tool developed by John Hunter that helps fourth graders produce world peace and have fun at the same time.

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