"New Age Politics" Summary

Introduction

Imagine a world where politics is not just about winning elections or passing laws, but about transforming society from the inside out. Mark Ivor Satin’s New Age Politics: Healing Self and Society—a cult classic from the late 1970s—invites readers to rethink what political action truly means. Satin, a former antiwar activist and co-founder of the New World Alliance, delivers a manifesto that’s equal parts philosophical treatise, how-to guide, and spiritual pep talk. This isn’t your standard political science textbook—it’s a passionate call to merge personal growth with social change, blending countercultural ideals, progressive politics, and a dash of cosmic optimism.

Whether you’re a college student yearning for a politics beyond cynicism, or a lecturer seeking to spark meaningful classroom debate, Satin’s vision is as provocative now as it was during the era of disco and Watergate. New Age Politics offers a roadmap for a gentler, more holistic approach to activism—one that speaks directly to today’s movements for sustainability, justice, and well-being.

Historical Context

To truly appreciate New Age Politics, it helps to understand its origins. The book emerged in the wake of the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, a period marked by:

• The Vietnam War and the antiwar movement
• The rise and fall of the counterculture
• Watergate and deepening distrust in government
• The blossoming of environmental and feminist movements
• The birth of the New Age movement, with its focus on spirituality, personal transformation, and holistic health

Satin was deeply immersed in these currents. As a draft resister and co-author of the Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada, he experienced firsthand the limits of confrontational protest. By the late 1970s, many activists were asking: What comes after marching in the streets? Can we build a politics rooted in empathy, healing, and partnership?

New Age Politics channels these questions into a compelling synthesis, drawing inspiration from figures like:

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

New Age Politics doesn’t follow a traditional narrative, but rather unfolds as a manifesto. Satin argues that real political change requires a transformation of consciousness, not just new laws or leaders. He critiques traditional left and right ideologies, suggesting that both are locked in outdated, adversarial thinking.

Instead, Satin proposes a new politics grounded in:

• Personal growth and self-awareness
• Community and ecological responsibility
• Non-hierarchical, participatory democracy
• A holistic, systems-oriented worldview

He envisions “new age” activists who integrate their inner lives with their outer actions, building a society that is both freer and more caring.

Setting

The book is set in the historical and cultural context of 1970s North America—an era of political disillusionment, spiritual experimentation, and social innovation. Satin draws on examples from communes, alternative schools, environmental groups, and holistic health centers. The atmosphere is both hopeful and searching, as people look for “the next step” after the upheavals of the 1960s.

Main Characters

While New Age Politics isn’t a novel, Satin introduces a cast of key archetypes and influencers who embody his vision.

Plot Summary

Because New Age Politics is a philosophical and practical guide rather than a story, its “plot” unfolds in the evolution of ideas across several key sections:

The Crisis of Politics as Usual

Satin opens with a critique of mainstream politics. He argues that both liberals and conservatives are stuck in adversarial, “us versus them” thinking. They tinker with policies but rarely question deeper assumptions about competition, hierarchy, and material progress.

He notes that social movements of the 1960s made major gains—civil rights, women’s rights, environmental awareness—but also left many feeling burned out or cynical. The Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War further eroded faith in institutions.

The New Age Alternative

Satin introduces the “new age” perspective, which emerged from the confluence of the human potential movement, environmentalism, and Eastern spirituality. This perspective emphasizes:

• The interconnectedness of all life
• The importance of personal transformation
• The need for holistic, systemic solutions

He describes a growing subculture of people experimenting with meditation, organic farming, cooperative living, and nonviolent action.

A New Political Philosophy

Drawing on systems theory and ecology, Satin advocates for a politics that:

• Sees society as an interconnected web, not a collection of separate interests
• Prioritizes healing and partnership over conflict and domination
• Values intuition and creativity as much as logic and analysis

He calls for a move away from centralized power toward decentralized, participatory democracy. Decision-making should be local, inclusive, and consensus-based.

Practical Strategies for Change

Satin doesn’t just theorize—he offers concrete steps for personal and social transformation:

• Cultivate self-awareness through mindfulness, therapy, and self-reflection
• Build alternative institutions (co-ops, alternative schools, intentional communities)
• Practice nonviolent communication and conflict resolution
• Engage in “gentle activism”—actions that heal rather than polarize

He provides real-world examples from food co-ops, holistic health clinics, and citizen assemblies, showing that “new age” principles can work in practice.

Toward a New Society

The book concludes with a vision of a transformed society:

• Work is meaningful and purposeful, not just a way to make money
• Technology serves human needs and the planet
• Diversity is celebrated, and power is shared
• People see themselves as stewards of the Earth and co-creators of the future

Themes and Motifs

New Age Politics weaves together several powerful themes:

Motifs such as circles (symbolizing inclusivity) and mirrors (reflecting self-awareness) recur throughout the book.

Literary Techniques and Style

Satin’s writing is clear, earnest, and often poetic. He uses:

• Accessible language: Avoids academic jargon; speaks directly to the reader.
• Anecdotes and vignettes: Real-life stories from co-ops and communities bring ideas to life.
• Analogies and metaphors: Society as an organism, politics as healing.
• Contrasts: Old vs. new, left vs. right, hierarchy vs. partnership.
• Call-and-response: Anticipates reader objections and responds conversationally.

While the book draws on theory, its tone is more inspirational than analytical. Satin’s style is inviting—sometimes bordering on utopian—but always grounded in practical optimism.

Author’s Background

Mark Ivor Satin’s journey is integral to the book’s message. Key facts:

Satin’s impact is felt in the ongoing search for a politics that is compassionate, creative, and sustainable. His work influenced the Green movement, holistic health advocates, and alternative education pioneers.

Key Takeaways

• Political change starts within—personal growth and social transformation go hand in hand.
• Traditional left/right politics are inadequate for addressing complex 21st-century challenges.
• Holistic, systems thinking helps us see the big picture and find innovative solutions.
• Participatory democracy—real power-sharing—is essential for a just society.
• Nonviolence and empathy are not just tactics, but core values.
• Building new institutions (co-ops, alternative schools, green businesses) is as important as protest.
• Ecological consciousness is foundational for long-term survival and well-being.

Reader’s Takeaway

Reading New Age Politics is like attending a lively seminar where the instructor is part philosopher, part counselor, and part cheerleader. You’ll come away with:

• A sense of hope that politics can be compassionate and creative
• Practical ideas for connecting your personal values with social action
• A toolkit for building community and fostering real democracy
• Inspiration to look beyond labels and imagine a new kind of activism

Whether you’re burned out on partisan bickering or searching for deeper meaning in your studies, Satin’s vision is an antidote to cynicism—a reminder that politics can be about healing, not just winning.

Conclusion

New Age Politics remains a touchstone for anyone seeking a politics that’s as transformative as it is practical. Mark Satin challenges us to see that changing the world isn’t just about marches or manifestos—it’s about cultivating empathy, creativity, and connection in every aspect of our lives.

The book’s blend of idealism and pragmatism makes it a valuable resource for students, educators, activists, and anyone hungry for a new political story. Its questions—about the link between self and society, and the possibility of a politics rooted in partnership—are more relevant than ever.

If you’re ready to move beyond politics as usual, to imagine a world where healing and justice walk hand in hand, New Age Politics is a journey worth taking. Dive in, reflect, and join the conversation about what politics could be—at its most human, most hopeful, and most new age.