George Lakey, Author at ZNetwork https://znetwork.org/author/georgelakey/ Independent Left News, Analysis, Vision and Strategy Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:02:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://znetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-Z_logo_512-32x32.png George Lakey, Author at ZNetwork https://znetwork.org/author/georgelakey/ 32 32 A Veteran Climate Organizer’s New Book Shares Lessons From the Frontlines https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/a-veteran-climate-organizers-new-book-shares-lessons-from-the-frontlines/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/a-veteran-climate-organizers-new-book-shares-lessons-from-the-frontlines/#respond Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:01:44 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1287028 One route to enhancing an activist’s power is to sign up for training sessions, where you can receive coaching on how to improve your organizing skills. There’s only one problem: Sometimes there aren’t enough trainers to meet the growing demand. We learned this in the early 1960s, when the U.S. civil rights movement expanded too [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/a-veteran-climate-organizers-new-book-shares-lessons-from-the-frontlines/feed/ 0 Can Nonviolent Struggle Defeat a Dictator? This Database Emphatically Says Yes https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/can-nonviolent-struggle-defeat-a-dictator-this-database-emphatically-says-yes/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/can-nonviolent-struggle-defeat-a-dictator-this-database-emphatically-says-yes/#respond Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:59:43 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1278248 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/can-nonviolent-struggle-defeat-a-dictator-this-database-emphatically-says-yes/feed/ 0 The Only Antidote To Election Anxiety Is Training To Confront Trump’s Threat https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-only-antidote-to-election-anxiety-is-training-to-confront-trumps-threat/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-only-antidote-to-election-anxiety-is-training-to-confront-trumps-threat/#respond Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:41:10 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1269417 Breathe deeply. The July 13 shooting attempt to assassinate Donald Trump may be a symptom of desperation in our country. Loners can be symptoms of growing despair. Whether he emerges a victor in November or a defeated candidate claiming he was robbed, movements for justice and peace need to offer something more specific than what [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-only-antidote-to-election-anxiety-is-training-to-confront-trumps-threat/feed/ 0 Political Violence Is Surging, But There’s A Playbook To Counter It https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/political-violence-is-surging-but-theres-a-playbook-to-counter-it/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/political-violence-is-surging-but-theres-a-playbook-to-counter-it/#respond Sat, 22 Jun 2024 16:42:49 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1268249 Last month, the New York Times published a broad overview of rising political violence in the United States, noting that, “By almost all measures, the evidence of the trend is striking.” According to one poll, more than 80 percent of local officials said they had been threatened or harassed. Such news is hardly surprising, given that Donald Trump has [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/political-violence-is-surging-but-theres-a-playbook-to-counter-it/feed/ 0 Should Children Take Part in Nonviolent Struggle?
 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-children-take-part-in-nonviolent-struggle/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-children-take-part-in-nonviolent-struggle/#respond Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:55:31 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1267582 In fifth grade I was introduced to children as nonviolent warriors. In one of our elementary school’s story collections I ran into a tale from the Norwegian resistance to Nazi German occupation during World War II. It was centered on the problem of preventing Norway’s store of gold bullion from falling into the hands of [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-children-take-part-in-nonviolent-struggle/feed/ 0 There Are Nonmilitary Alternatives To Israel’s War In Gaza https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/there-are-nonmilitary-alternatives-to-israels-war-in-gaza/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/there-are-nonmilitary-alternatives-to-israels-war-in-gaza/#respond Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1257161 Israel and its allies have made a knee-jerk assumption that war is the only way to create safety and respond to the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas. This assumption — which upholds violence as the only path forward — is commonly accepted by extremists on both sides of the conflict, as well as most leaders and [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/there-are-nonmilitary-alternatives-to-israels-war-in-gaza/feed/ 0 What Should We Do With The Perpetrators Of The Climate Crisis? https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-should-we-do-with-the-perpetrators-of-the-climate-crisis/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-should-we-do-with-the-perpetrators-of-the-climate-crisis/#respond Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:36:01 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1249660 Chuck Collins’ new book “Altar to an Erupting Sun” may be fiction, but it poses a very topical, real-world challenge for readers: What’s the right way to act when facing an existential challenge like climate change? Right off the bat, in the first chapter, we learn that the novel’s central character, Rae, is a climate [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-should-we-do-with-the-perpetrators-of-the-climate-crisis/feed/ 0 How a Small Activist Sailing Ship Successfully Challenged The Nuclear Arms Race https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-a-small-activist-sailing-ship-successfully-challenged-the-nuclear-arms-race/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-a-small-activist-sailing-ship-successfully-challenged-the-nuclear-arms-race/#respond Sat, 20 May 2023 13:05:53 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1246287 In today’s polarized context, progressive movements need their best strategic thinking. One source for inspiration should be the Golden Rule, a historic sailing ship that’s currently visiting ports along the Eastern U.S. Organized by Veterans for Peace, this national tour puts the 1958 Golden Rule voyage back in the news. Nearly 65 years ago, the Golden Rule defiantly [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-a-small-activist-sailing-ship-successfully-challenged-the-nuclear-arms-race/feed/ 0 How Going Outside Our Comfort Zones Puts Us In Touch With Our Power https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-going-outside-our-comfort-zones-puts-us-in-touch-with-our-power/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-going-outside-our-comfort-zones-puts-us-in-touch-with-our-power/#respond Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:27:30 +0000 https://znetwork.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1220033 An ongoing challenge for us activist organizers is that the route to winning takes people out of their comfort zones. The positive side is not only that the campaign gets a chance to win, but also that enduring discomfort usually strengthens people — it puts them in touch with their power.   Sports trainers know this just as well [...]]]> https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-going-outside-our-comfort-zones-puts-us-in-touch-with-our-power/feed/ 0 How activists can fight through doom and gloom to be more effective https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-activists-can-fight-through-doom-and-gloom-to-be-more-effective/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-activists-can-fight-through-doom-and-gloom-to-be-more-effective/#respond Wed, 04 May 2022 10:05:07 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1057867 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-activists-can-fight-through-doom-and-gloom-to-be-more-effective/feed/ 0 Ukraine doesn’t need to match Russia’s military might to defend against invasion https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/ukraine-doesnt-need-to-match-russias-military-might-to-defend-against-invasion/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/ukraine-doesnt-need-to-match-russias-military-might-to-defend-against-invasion/#respond Sat, 26 Feb 2022 12:30:57 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1055481 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/ukraine-doesnt-need-to-match-russias-military-might-to-defend-against-invasion/feed/ 0 Should fighting for democracy take priority over building powerful social movements? https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-fighting-for-democracy-take-priority-over-building-powerful-social-movements/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-fighting-for-democracy-take-priority-over-building-powerful-social-movements/#respond Fri, 07 Jan 2022 09:04:59 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1053335 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/should-fighting-for-democracy-take-priority-over-building-powerful-social-movements/feed/ 0 As US empire declines, what openings exist for progressive movements? https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/as-us-empire-declines-what-openings-exist-for-progressive-movements/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/as-us-empire-declines-what-openings-exist-for-progressive-movements/#respond Sun, 22 Aug 2021 09:02:28 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1049494 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/as-us-empire-declines-what-openings-exist-for-progressive-movements/feed/ 0 What Trump’s claim of a ‘stolen election’ means for activists today https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today-2/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today-2/#respond Fri, 27 Nov 2020 09:03:49 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1040705 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today-2/feed/ 0 What Trump’s claim of a ‘stolen election’ means for activists today https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today/#respond Sun, 15 Nov 2020 09:02:42 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1040380 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-trumps-claim-of-a-stolen-election-means-for-activists-today/feed/ 0 We need a plan to prevent a Trump takeover https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/we-need-a-plan-to-prevent-a-trump-takeover/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/we-need-a-plan-to-prevent-a-trump-takeover/#respond Sun, 16 Aug 2020 09:02:04 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1037408 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/we-need-a-plan-to-prevent-a-trump-takeover/feed/ 0 Understanding Trump’s game plan in Portland https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/understanding-trumps-game-plan-in-portland/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/understanding-trumps-game-plan-in-portland/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:02:38 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1036774 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/understanding-trumps-game-plan-in-portland/feed/ 0 US opinion is shifting in favor of the Nordic model — can activists keep up? https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/us-opinion-is-shifting-in-favor-of-the-nordic-model-can-activists-keep-up/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/us-opinion-is-shifting-in-favor-of-the-nordic-model-can-activists-keep-up/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:01:15 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1031708 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/us-opinion-is-shifting-in-favor-of-the-nordic-model-can-activists-keep-up/feed/ 0 What the U.S. Economy Can Learn From the Nordic Model https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-u-s-economy-can-learn-from-the-nordic-model/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-u-s-economy-can-learn-from-the-nordic-model/#respond Sun, 09 Feb 2020 09:01:02 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1029036 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-u-s-economy-can-learn-from-the-nordic-model/feed/ 0 How movements build strength through training https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-build-strength-through-training/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-build-strength-through-training/#respond Tue, 27 Aug 2019 09:01:26 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1023127 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-build-strength-through-training/feed/ 0 How movements can use drama to seize the public imagination https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-can-use-drama-to-seize-the-public-imagination/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-can-use-drama-to-seize-the-public-imagination/#respond Thu, 11 Jul 2019 09:01:34 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1021768 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-movements-can-use-drama-to-seize-the-public-imagination/feed/ 0 Vision is finally on the rise in U.S. politics https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/vision-is-finally-on-the-rise-in-u-s-politics/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/vision-is-finally-on-the-rise-in-u-s-politics/#respond Sun, 26 May 2019 09:00:12 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1020402 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/vision-is-finally-on-the-rise-in-u-s-politics/feed/ 0 Why now is the time to connect the pipeline fights https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/why-now-is-the-time-to-connect-the-pipeline-fights/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/why-now-is-the-time-to-connect-the-pipeline-fights/#respond Wed, 15 May 2019 09:01:29 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1020121 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/why-now-is-the-time-to-connect-the-pipeline-fights/feed/ 0 The world’s happiest people already have a Green New Deal https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-worlds-happiest-people-already-have-a-green-new-deal/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-worlds-happiest-people-already-have-a-green-new-deal/#respond Sun, 21 Apr 2019 09:02:04 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1019286 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-worlds-happiest-people-already-have-a-green-new-deal/feed/ 0 How to fight fascism from a position of strength https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-to-fight-fascism-from-a-position-of-strength/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-to-fight-fascism-from-a-position-of-strength/#respond Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:01:13 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1017595 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-to-fight-fascism-from-a-position-of-strength/feed/ 0 How can allies protect communities threatened with violence? https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-can-allies-protect-communities-threatened-with-violence/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-can-allies-protect-communities-threatened-with-violence/#respond Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:01:33 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1017387 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/how-can-allies-protect-communities-threatened-with-violence/feed/ 0 Midterms show way to victory is through vision, not reactivity https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/midterms-show-way-to-victory-is-through-vision-not-reactivity/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/midterms-show-way-to-victory-is-through-vision-not-reactivity/#respond Fri, 07 Dec 2018 09:02:11 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1015302 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/midterms-show-way-to-victory-is-through-vision-not-reactivity/feed/ 0 Navigating the white water of these turbulent times https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/navigating-the-white-water-of-these-turbulent-times/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/navigating-the-white-water-of-these-turbulent-times/#respond Sun, 22 Jul 2018 09:02:25 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1011781 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/navigating-the-white-water-of-these-turbulent-times/feed/ 0 What the Parkland teens can teach Medicare for All campaigners https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-parkland-teens-can-teach-medicare-for-all-campaigners/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-parkland-teens-can-teach-medicare-for-all-campaigners/#respond Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:00:13 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1011565 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/what-the-parkland-teens-can-teach-medicare-for-all-campaigners/feed/ 0 Unions have been down before https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/unions-have-been-down-before/ https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/unions-have-been-down-before/#respond Sun, 01 Jul 2018 09:01:46 +0000 https://zcomm.org/?post_type=znetarticle&p=1011283 https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/unions-have-been-down-before/feed/ 0