This chapter explores a process perspective of political theories as it applies to mediating the climate crisis. Reflecting the ongoing self-reflexivity of process thinking, the chapter also confronts the potential political biases of the author by reflecting on process philosophy, peace studies and personal leanings in relation to left and right political ideologies. While recognising inadequacies of left-right categories, a partial alignment of process politics with the left, right and centre of the political spectrum is uncovered, and a new (multi-dimensional, processual) way to think about these political categories is explored. The basic orientations of process thinking are applied to aspects of Marxist, social democratic, capitalist and neoliberal political theories, identifying intersections and divergences of process perspectives. It explores the ways that static biases arise when ideas, ideologies or assumptions (e.g. about human nature) are treated as fixed and unchanging or are reduced to a single dimension. Grounded in process metaphysics, the process-based political theory developed emphasises the participatory and generative agency of social actors within the limitations of their material and historical contexts, and the possibilities for change in ideas and actions to evolve structural barriers that support peace with justice. The emerging theory connects with George Monbiot’s “politics of belonging” extended with process notions of “communities of communities” and transcending pro/anti-capitalist divides. This process politics does not seek a political revolution nor superficial reform but an integral transformation resonating with John Dewey’s vision of “creative democracy.” Foundational to process politics is a more equal distribution of power, decoupling the influence of wealth over democracy, and re-regulating markets in the interests of long-term human and nonhuman wellbeing. Utilising the static-process framework and process metaphysics, Chaps. 5 and 6 demonstrate diverging and converging alliances of political and economic theories that can be understood in terms of hegemonic static thinking and encompassing process thinking. Together with the contextual economics, this chapter shows how process philosophy supports more participatory policymaking and multi-scale interventions to enable the co-creation of more peaceful and sustainable futures.

Co-creative Politics: A Process Approach to Left and Right

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发表日期：

2025年

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Juliet Bennett

摘要

This chapter explores a process perspective of political theories as it applies to mediating the climate crisis. Reflecting the ongoing self-reflexivity of process thinking, the chapter also confronts the potential political biases of the author by reflecting on process philosophy, peace studies and personal leanings in relation to left and right political ideologies. While recognising inadequacies of left-right categories, a partial alignment of process politics with the left, right and centre of the political spectrum is uncovered, and a new (multi-dimensional, processual) way to think about these political categories is explored. The basic orientations of process thinking are applied to aspects of Marxist, social democratic, capitalist and neoliberal political theories, identifying intersections and divergences of process perspectives. It explores the ways that static biases arise when ideas, ideologies or assumptions (e.g. about human nature) are treated as fixed and unchanging or are reduced to a single dimension. Grounded in process metaphysics, the process-based political theory developed emphasises the participatory and generative agency of social actors within the limitations of their material and historical contexts, and the possibilities for change in ideas and actions to evolve structural barriers that support peace with justice. The emerging theory connects with George Monbiot’s “politics of belonging” extended with process notions of “communities of communities” and transcending pro/anti-capitalist divides. This process politics does not seek a political revolution nor superficial reform but an integral transformation resonating with John Dewey’s vision of “creative democracy.” Foundational to process politics is a more equal distribution of power, decoupling the influence of wealth over democracy, and re-regulating markets in the interests of long-term human and nonhuman wellbeing. Utilising the static-process framework and process metaphysics, Chaps. 5 and 6 demonstrate diverging and converging alliances of political and economic theories that can be understood in terms of hegemonic static thinking and encompassing process thinking. Together with the contextual economics, this chapter shows how process philosophy supports more participatory policymaking and multi-scale interventions to enable the co-creation of more peaceful and sustainable futures.