Understanding Political Systems

Abstract

This chapter offers insights and anecdotes of how political entrepreneurs have developed a deep understanding of the political systems around them over time. They are political animals, but may have shied away from party politics in the past. They were ready to take on responsibility, and found joy in serving as much as in exercising power. Often, they have worked in the political periphery or in an adjacent field. The chapter also offers insights and anecdotes of how political entrepreneurs then went from understanding political systems to envisioning a new politics over time. There are various routes to envision a new politics, some more intellectual, some more action-based, and some more experiential. One pattern that emerged in the various interviews over the course of 12 months is: political entrepreneurs write books, essays and blogs, or they publish those of others.