Riane Eisler begins by giving us a new way to view our lives and our world: she gives us a "lens" through which we can look at everything in our lives - and every relationship it involves — in terms of whether the "dominator model" or "partnership model" of behavior is predominant.
Once we start viewing ourselves and our world through this lens, we see that the partnership model with its underlying respect for all is definitely a vastly superior way to function - in every area of our lives - and that we have to break free of the dominator model, with its underlying fears and need to control others.
The partnership model is based on working together with mutual respect, on finding creative win-win solutions, and on the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It is based on an awareness of the sacredness of all life. The dominator model is based on fear, and leads one person or group to exert control over another. In a system of domination, the result is endless struggle, endless conflict for everyone involved. In partnership, the result is harmony, respect, love, and an explosion of creativity and joy.
Which would you rather have? No one would choose the system of domination if they knew they had an alternative, but most of us haven't been given the lens to see the world that way - yet - and so we don't have the tools to break free of the dominator model and move more into partnership in all areas of our lives.
In The Power of Partnership, Eisler gives us - in simple, clear, non-academic language - the tools necessary to break free of the old dominator model and move into partnership. She guides us through every significant relationship in our lives, including our relationship with ourselves, our intimate relationships, our work and community relationships, our relationships with our national and international communities, and even our relations withith nature and spirit.
"The Power of Partnership is so comprehensive and ground-breaking that it will probably prove to be one of the most important books of the 21st century. If you want to improve your life and your world read this book." — Barbara Marx Hubbard, author of Conscious Evolution
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