3: NEOs and Political Influence

Overview

NEOs bring their values into the political sphere, shaping policies and movements through their advocacy, voting power, and community engagement. Let’s examine their political priorities and their role in driving reform.

Key Points

Prioritising Inclusivity and Equity:

NEOs support policies that address systemic inequities, championing diversity in leadership and accessibility in governance.
Life’s ‘economic rationalists’ NEOs are simultaneously socially progressive. This makes them difficult for major political parties to understand and attract. In the US, for example, they are 65 million constituencies of one.

Grassroots Advocacy:

They frequently engage in community organising, mobilising networks to support local and national initiatives.

Global Perspective:

NEOs often advocate for policies that have international implications, such as climate agreements, trade fairness, and humanitarian fairness. If a NEO could rule the world, on day one they would introduce a ‘Decency Principle’ for everyone to follow: “Make every decision as if it’s for your grandmother.”

Activity:

Think about a recent political campaign or movement that aligns with NEO values. Consider how it was shaped by grassroots organising and its potential long-term impact.