Entire "standing up to the man" series
ENROL AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE: parts of this series are FULL. you can enrol in those still open on the individual course pages

This series of three courses is all about standing up to the man. Which man you ask? Well, at least now know which man. Not that Trump alone is the problem. He could in fact be part of the solution. We are now in a period of transition from a system that clearly has not worked – call it neo-liberalism or just plain screwing the average person – to something that is still unclear. Trump’s policies could be even worse than what we have. Or they could break down the system and inadvertently produce something better. What is increasingly clear is that people are going to have to take back control, and not rely on top down change. They are already doing this, but the Trump disruption will likely accelerate the process. In this series of courses we will look at how the disruption could play out in several domains – our food system, the underground economy and a breakdown of entrenched centres of power.

2016 has seen some amazing examples of ordinary people standing up to those in power: choosing a path to one that is more humane, sustainable and resilient. Think of the successful resistance to the free trade deals, the referendum on Britain leaving the European Union, the cancellation of the Keystone pipeline.

2017 promises much more hope for a more promising future for all people. This course series explores three coming issues:

1. Firstly, we look at human initiatives aimed at disrupting the control of the world's food system by a few corporations. Few things are more important than food, and it's becoming clear that Monsanto, Proctor & Gamble and other food industry behemoths are seeing their dominance challenged by small local producers able to adapt to evolving and local consumer preferences. The problem in many industries, including food, is the control by a few big organizations. Believe it or not Trump's policies may well change that.
2. Then we get into how ordinary people are refusing to accept the standardization and conformity in any sphere. In particular, politics may be shifting away from centralized control to a far more decentralized model where people in states/provinces, cities and even local communities are taking more control, So the one size, fits all approach no longer applies. So, while Trump may want to make change, people in  many communities will find ways to live life in ways they want to, whatever the national policies. In fact, Trump's philosophy may be to let local people have more control.
3. Finally we come to the explosion of the Underground Economy that accommodates all those who don't fit into the oligarchic globalization plan. Trump may actually "get" the small business economy far better than any president in living memory. While he has a large business he has an entrepreneurial mindset. Trump may well enact policies that help grow the informal economy and remove obstacles that prevent it rom emerging formally. We can only hope, but hope is justified. 

Will the new political environment be favourable for people to exerts more control over their lives? In this course we will look at the possibilities.  ​

Moderator: Pat Simke

Date and Time: February 7, 14, 28. March 7, 21, 28 (total of 6 weeks), 2-4 PM 

Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West

Cost: $36

Maximum Class Size: 25

Booking: See Terms and Conditions. enrol below by credit card or send us an e-mail at [email protected] and pay by cheque