ABSTRACT

Contemporary politics goes on at a mythic level. This is the provocative argument put forward in this unique book which results from the collaboration of practising politicians, organisational and political consultants, scholars of mythology and culture, and Jungian analysts from several countries.
The first part of the book focuses on leadership and vision, and features a reflection on myth and leadership by former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley. The second part deals with the way the theme of 'the one and the many' works itself out in politics today. From the perspective of 'the many', there are chapters on factionalism, ethnic strife, genocide and multiculturalism. From the perspective of 'the one', there are chapters on the economic myth and gender politics showing how these bring coherence to today's confused political scene, culminating in the suggestion that the modern political psyche is itself in the midst of a rite of passage.
The relevance of the book to the practice and study of politics, mainstream and marginal, cannot be overemphasised and the book will provide stimulating reading for practitioners and students in these areas as well as for those engaged in psychological work such as therapy, counselling or analysis.

chapter |18 pages

Introduction

The vision thing

part I|77 pages

Leadership and vision in myth and politics

chapter 3|16 pages

The good-enough leader

chapter 4|12 pages

The feminine and politics

chapter 5|22 pages

The Wizard of Oz

A vision of development in the American political psyche

part II|171 pages

The one and the many in myth and politics

part II|102 pages

The many

chapter 7|17 pages

Arresting Orestes

Mythic events and the law

chapter 8|19 pages

Factionalism and interethnic conflict

Narratives in myth and politics

chapter 9|16 pages

Reflections from the back side of a dollar

Myth and the origins of diversity

chapter 11|35 pages

Under the shade of Pol Pot's umbrella

Mandala, myth, and politics in the Cambodian genocide

part |63 pages

The one

chapter 13|19 pages

Cultural transition and spiritual transformation

From Alexander the Great to cyberspace

chapter 14|9 pages

Moose, Foose, Famose

chapter 15|10 pages

Reasonable Woman/Reasonable Man

The emergence of a modern archetype of gender equality in political life