Using Integrated Wisdom as a Way Forward
A valuable insight into a new approach to governance in nation-building.
I'm sharing a quote from a sidebar in Professor Henry Mintzberg’s excellent book Rebalancing Society. It's from Mary Parker Follett's 1925 paper, in which she explored three ways to resolve conflict.
“The first she called domination: the victory of one side over the other. The problem is that the other side ‘will simply wait for its chance to dominate.’
She also called compromise ‘each side gives up a little in order to have peace.’ But with neither side satisfied, the conflict will just keep coming back.
The third way she called integration: moving the debate to another place, getting back to basics to find common ground.”
The discussion goes on to say that integration involves invention and an openness to “…not let one's thinking stay within the other two boundaries.” Find a third way.
Follett's simple example was a disagreement over opening a window in a library. One side wanted fresh air, the other didn't want the draft. The integrated solution was to open a window in another room.
Integration captures the essence of how we, Alberta Pluralists, need to start thinking and acting. It applies to our provincial political culture and our dealings with the other provinces and the federal government.
The idea of an integrated intergovernmental approach is ripe for effective application to the operational aspects of Bill C-5, now called “An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act.”
Can we select and execute nation-building projects on an integrated basis?
The opportunity is before us. Do we have wise and capable leaders in politics, business, and aboriginal realms to design, deploy, and develop projects using an integrated mindset?
