Unite and Conquer: How to Build Coalitions That Winand Last [Paperback]

Old-school divide-and-conquer tactics—demonizing opponents, frightening voters, refusing to compromise—may make us feel good about the purity of our ideals, but it’s no way to get anything done. Worse, this approach betrays some of the most cherished ideals of the progressive movement: inclusion, reason, justice, and hope. Illuminated by examples from her own work and a host of campaigns across the country, Kyrsten Sinema shows how to forge connections—both personal and political—with seemingly unlikely allies and define our values, interests, and objectives in ways that broaden our range of potential partners and expand our tactical options. With irreverent humor, enthralling campaign stories, and solid, practical advice, Sinema enables us to move past “politics as war” and build support for progressive causes on the foundation of our common humanity.Foreword by Janet Napolitano
Preface
Introduction: Because You Can’t Get There On Your Own
Chapter 1: The Politics We Want
Chapter 2: Letting Go of the Bear and Picking Up the Buddha
Chapter 3: Creating Coalitions You Actually Want to Join
Chapter 4: Shedding the Heavy Mantle of Victimhood
Chapter 5: Making Friends
Chapter 6: Letting Go of Outcomes
Chapter 7: Getting Back to Our Shared Values
Chapter 8: Naming Our Interests
Chapter 9: The Third Way
Chapter 10: And, Not But
Chapter 11: Keeping the Team Together
Conclusion: Get Your Coalition On
Bonus Resource: The Coalition Builder’s Toolkit
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author“Kyrsten Sinema’s down-to-earth, funny, and insightful wit is a great match for her practical lessons.Unite and Conquergoes to the very heart of what progressive politics needs—a good dose of learning how to work with others, sprinkled with humor and grace, from a truly remarkable woman.”
—Celinda Lake, President, Lake Research Partners