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In this episode of Global Development Review Podcast, Dr. Timothy Stacey will share insights on his upcoming book “Saving Liberalism from Itself: The Spirit of Political Participation”, which is in press with Bristol University Press.

Dr Tim argues stresses about the Spirit of Political Participation and argues that ‘the aim of peace-loving people should not be to build a world without myths, but to replace divisive myths with hopeful myths’. He indeed highlights in his upcoming book that '‘Saving liberalism from itself doesn’t mean giving up on either rational or confessional truth. Instead, it means balancing these with compassionate truth”.

A brief Introduction about Prof. Tim and his work:

Timothy Stacey is a Lecturer in Religion and Politics at Leiden University and a Visiting Professor in the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria. Tim explores the myths, rituals, magic and traditions that mobilise people to take ethical and political action, as well as the political systems that enable and inhibit people's capacity to engage with these more-than-rational elements. He undertakes ethnographic research with a range of actors and, as well as developing theory, tries to share lessons “upwards” to conventional politics and “outwards” to activists and practitioners. Most recently, he is applying his expertise to explore the transition towards environmentally friendly behaviours. 

Tim regularly collaborates with researchers and practitioners both within and outside the academy to explore how their work can change minds and behaviours. He is the co-convenor of AltVisions, a network of academics, activists and artists exploring the alternative visions and epistemologies that can inspire people to collectively confront global challenges. Most recently, his help has been enlisted to increase engagement with climate change mitigation.

In this episode, Discussant Jaffer Latief Najar discusses the following reflections with Prof. Tim:

1. Your book title is “Saving Liberalism from Itself”; are you suggesting that liberalism is falling down in modern societies, how? Also, please share some insights about your book.

2. In the part of your book that I read, you argue that myths, rituals, magics and traditions can help us to rediscover the spirit of political participation, could you please elaborate this and explain what do you mean by the spirit of political participation, and why this aspect is important in re-imagining modern societies, including global politics and development?

3. How we see the relationship between myths, rituals and traditions. How myths are brought to life in rituals and traditions, and how crucially myths play a role in development of a culture, identity or politics, etc.

4. You argue that ‘the aim of peace-loving people should not be to build a world without myths, but to replace divisive myths with hopeful myths’. But don’t you think that building a society on myths might bring challenges to scientific rationalities? And what if those who are in a position of authority appropriates or manipulate this rationale of hopeful myth for their interests, wouldn’t it risk more inequalities or what alternatives we can think of to overcome such imbalances?

5. You conclude your book by saying that ‘Saving liberalism from itself doesn’t mean giving up on either rational or confessional truth. Instead, it means balancing these with compassionate truth”. I like the argument of compassionate truth, could you please elaborate the understanding of compassionate truth to my audience, and how it could be useful in saving liberalism and developing our societies towards inclusion. 

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