The Six or Seven Axiom of Social Change – Margaret Mead’s Gift by Zaid Hassan




Margaret Mead - a Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed People Can Change the World

The anthropologist Margaret Mead gave us the gift of what can be called Mead’s Axiom, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” While I have heard this quote being used hundreds, if not thousands of times, I personally haven’t had much of an understanding of how it happens to be true. It seems to be an article of faith, at least amongst social activists, hence an axiom in the technical sense. My intention here is to corroborate it with my personal understanding of mass social change.

On good days my work involves enthusiastically trying to form and catalyze such groups. On bad days I curse and wonder where these small groups of thoughtful, committed people are and what they’re waiting for. Regardless of what day it is, I feel that Mead’s Axiom provides us with a compelling vision for mass social change. It deserves attention. This essay is animated by a burning desire to understand what could be thought of as the mother of all axioms, at least when it comes to mass social change. I propose a series of lesser axioms, all drawn from trying to understand how Mead’s Axiom operates in the world.

  • Mass social change is not usually a nice linear process
  • Change happens
  • A stuck system is like a black hole
  • The first move toward change is usually undemocratic
  • The group is smarter (but not braver) than the individual
  • Ideas (and viruses) acquire people through small worlds

Full article @ Berkana Institute >>

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