Wise Democracy

Discovering Solutions to Intractable Problems

Jim Rough interviewed by Psychiatrist Dr Nicholas Beecroft. Jim is an expert in Wise Democracy. He originated the technique called dynamic facilitation which he now uses with Wisdom Councils, a social process designed to empower large systems of people. In this interview Jim describes how the quality of conversation which really counts along with the people who have that conversation. 

Dynamic facilitation takes people beyond the traditional debate, dialogue and deliberation into a choice-creating conversation which generates new potential outcomes. The groups work best when drawn randomly from the population. On first inspection that may sound strange because our tradition is to choose experts, representatives and those who have a particular strong opinion or interest group. 

With years of experience in facilitating the democratic process, Jim has found that there is a deep wisdom which emerges from randomly chosen group taking the mainstream interest and seeking to serve the whole. He finds that a consensus emerges which is often transformational and inspiring to the wider community. He has taught people globally to use this technique any give some examples of work is working well, particularly in Austria. 

We tend to take democracy for granted is as if it is something which we have already achieved. Jim points out that democracy is something which needs constant evolution, requiring ongoing attention and adaptation to our needs and situation. He makes a powerful call for integrating dynamic facilitation and Wisdom Councils into our existing structures so as to help raise our game to meet the substantial challenges which we face. 

Jim is a business consultant, speaker, and principal seminar leader for the seminar Dynamic Facilitation and the Wisdom Council. He has been leading public seminars on Dynamic Facilitation for over 20 years, while facilitating for clients that include government agencies, corporations, and community-based organizations. He is author of the book “Society’s Breakthrough! Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People”, which Robert E. Steele called, “...certainly one of the hundred most important books available in English.” He is originator of the Wisdom Council process, which is now being implemented in many cities throughout Central Europe, government agencies, cooperatively owned businesses, schools, and communities. He is cofounder of the nonprofit Center for Wise Democracy, which promotes the Wisdom Council. 

Dr Nicholas Beecroft, a Military and Organizational Psychiatrist, has spent 25 years exploring the worlds of Medicine, Psychiatry, Business, International Relations and the Military. In the Future of Western Civilization Series, he interviews visionary leaders to discover their inspiring, positive and practical visions for the future and challenges them with incisive questions.

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 1 
Introduction to the Series-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys 
British Patriotism-A Newcomer’s Perspective-William Nkata Masembe 
The Next Big Shift-From Machine to Living System-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Global Simultaneous Policy Making-Bottom-Up Global Policy-John Bunzl 
The Future of Capitalism-Getting What We Really Want-Jon Freeman 
Transpartisan Politics-The Power of Integrating Diversity-Joseph McCormick 
Creating Heaven on Earth-Taking Small Steps in the Right Direction-Martin Rutte 
Bonds, Fields and Intentions-Culture Catches Up with Science-Lynne McTaggart 
Leadership with Integrity-How to be True to Yourself-Dr Mary Gentile 
Wisdom-Lost and Rediscovered-Professor Jim Garrison 
The Living Universe-Bringing Science, Finance and Society to Life-Dr Elisabet Sahtouris 
Organizational Democracy-10 Steps to Democratic Culture and Leadership-Traci Fenton

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 2 
The West is Best-Insights from the PR Man to the Stars-Howard Bloom 
Evolutionary Enlightenment-Living from your Creative Impulse-Andrew Cohen 
Renaissance 2-Catalyzing the Second Renaissance-Dr Robin Wood 
Positive Patriotism-The Evolving British-Chris Parish 
The Master Code-The Theory that Explains Everything-Dr Don Beck

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 3 
Generational Cycles-Predicting the Future-Neil Howe 
Catalyzing Change-Engaging Emergence-Peggy Holman 
Successful Nations-Harnessing the Aspirations of the People-Richard Barrett 
Resurrecting Christianity-Rising to the Challenges of a Complex World-Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali 
German Identity & Patriotism-Healing the Wounds, Integrating the Shadow-Adrian Wagner 
Compassionate Healthcare-Re-humanising Medicine-Dr Robin Youngson 
New Money-The Evolution of Finance-Jordan MacLeod

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 4 
Unleashing Human Potential-Alignment, Energetics and Connection-Soleira Green 
Wise Democracy-Discovering Solutions to Intractable Problems-Jim Rough 
Mindfulness-Applications for Leaders and Clinicians-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Evolutionary Leadership-Conscious Leadership in an Age of Transition-Peter Merry 
The Future of Europe-A View from Inside the European Union-Helen Titchen Beeth 
Ending the Culture War-A Devoted Conservative and a Die-hard Liberal Make Friends-Phil Neisser & Jacob Hess 
The Future of Western Civilization Progress Report-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys