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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
First thoughts on the implications of Wednesday's coup attempt for peacebuilders and others working for nonviolent social change.
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
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
This post explores why reconciliation has to be part of whatever we peacebuilders do after the 2020 presidential election
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
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
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.
Beyond the Election
This final post on implementing the Imperative 21 goals for resetting the economy also explores what we could and should do after the US presidential election
Stakeholder Accountability
Of the three Imperative 21 imperatives, stakeholder accountability is the most tangible and requires us to change the most in the short term.
Invest for Justice
Imperative 21's second bucket of concepts calls on us to invest in justice. That has been important throughout my adult life, but it takes on new meaning in 2020 given the crises we face this year.