The Cause Of The Darkness In The World Chapter Summary

The Causes of the Darkness in the World and How to Overcome
In a troubled world, struggles can be used to bring people together and form a community; through hardships insight is gained that can allow for the growth of democracy and the success of the world. In the prelude chapter “The Politics of the Brokenhearted,” Parker Palmer discusses the ways that people divide themselves and how democracy can fail, while also discussing the ways that people are brought together and what it takes to function as a fruitful nation. Palmer’s purpose in writing this chapter is to enlighten people that politics should not be seen as a competition for power, but rather a noble endeavor that must be driven by the desire to do good. Throughout the chapter, Palmer uses …show more content…
The darkness of the world results from ignorant reluctance to consider another point of view, lack of compassion, and violent actions. Becoming isolated from people who are different only leads to a greater divide. Additionally, viewing violence as a solution to the world’s problems and dismissing compassion will only result in a darker and more broken place. In order to improve the world and ensure that democracy is sustained, people need to use their past struggles for good. Hard times provide strength and allow different perspectives to be seen, this can help shed new light on stagnant issues. People must come together as a community, everyone in the nation is working towards the same goal, a successful democracy and a happy life. To achieve this, people must work to compromise and grow in their understanding of each other’s differences. If people can learn to consult their heart more often, to do what is purely good, and to look out for one another, the light of the world would surely overwhelm the