Beyond the Culture of Contest

by Michael Robert Karlberg

How can social change come about? Is it possible to have democratic government without political parties? Can we have a productive economy without unfettered and aggressive competition? How can social and ecological ills be addressed without resorting to a 'culture of protest'? Adversarialism has become the predominant strand in contemporary western-liberal societies. Throughout the public sphere, competitive and conflictual practices have become institutionalised norms. In his analysis of present-day society, Michael Karlberg puts forward the thesis that our present 'culture of contest' is both socially unjust and ecologically unsustainable and that the surrounding 'culture of protest' is an inadequate response to the social and ecological problems it generates. The development of non-adversarial structures and practices is imperative. Dr Karlberg considers various historical and contemporary expressions of mutualism, including expressions within feminism, systems theory, ecology and environmentalism, communication theory and alternative dispute resolution, and presents a case study of the Bahá'í community and its experience as a working, non-adversarial model of social practice. The prescriptions and practices of the Bahá'í community provide a viable and workable alternative to the culture of contest.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Baha I

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Farnood · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impactful books I’ve ever read!
It gives a remarkable view of the society and really insightful solutions to some of our social problems.

[Bahar Zarghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing book!!
This book was really interesting to me and I learned many things from it.
After this book, I am 100% sure that the contest should be removed from our world and cooperation should be used instead.
Chapter 5 was so amazing to me and I really suggest it.

[Borna Safai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply amazing in its analysis and commentary on the current state of the world. Looking at the economic, political and legal systems, how they're tied together and essentially run by money, creating an unsustainable society.

The culture of contest raises us in a mindset that normalizes adversarialism, conflict and contest, and looking at other ways of organizing society and world seems unrealistic and naive at best. Although the current culture of contest has led us to where it has, and we have made many advancements, looking at all the current problems in the world - environment, political and social instability, etc. - it is clear that continuing in this way is not viable, and a new order is needed.

An interesting analysis is made in the last chapter, where a suggestion is made on how to overturn the current order. Michael Karlberg mentions playing a different cultural game and not buy into the culture of contest - the rules are set up so that the ones with the most money will win in the long run - so the mode of operation is to play a different game, and win by attrition. As more and more people will switch over to play a different cultural game of mutualism, support and cooperation, the old order will slowly fall.

Of course, doing all of this is not easy, but we have to start somewhere.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Beyond a Culture of Contest" by Michael Karlberg turned my world upside down...in a good way. :) His book will change the way you view (America and the West's) social/political organization from our economy, to our western liberal form of democracy, and even our legal adversary system. His thesis asserts that all of these systems, while they have certainly contributed greatly to the progress of human societies everywhere, have now reached a point of diminishing returns as our world continues to undergo through a period of transformative change with the integrative and multi-faceted forces of globalization. While many still view "Western Liberal Democracy" as the end all-be all of political and social organization, as the culminating point and climax of human triumph over the question of just governance, Karlberg makes the argument that we have NOT reached the "end of history" as many academics have asserted, rather, we are merely at the beginning.

[Kian Saadat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This great book shows how there could be an alternative to our competitive behaviour that is leading the world to destruction and gives real and proven examples on how things can be done differently.
Not a book for everyone, only for the truly open minded.

[Sepideh · Rating 5 out of 5]

ارزش چند بار خواندن را داره. این که رقابت در چه جنبه هایی از زندگیمون که حتی فکرش رو هم نمیکنیم تاثیر گذاشته. از کارزارهای انتخاباتی بگیر تا تبلیغات رسانه آموزش و پرورش اقتصاد .... تمام ذهن رو درگیر میکنه تا نمودهای رقابت و قدرت طلبی رو در زندگی پیدا کنیم.

[Eddie Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. It's theories have become an integral part of me understanding my career path in law.

[Selvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this!