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Frank Visser, graduated as a psychologist of culture and religion, founded IntegralWorld in 1997. He worked as production manager for various publishing houses and as service manager for various internet companies and lives in Amsterdam. Books: Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion (SUNY, 2003), and The Corona Conspiracy: Combatting Disinformation about the Coronavirus (Kindle, 2020).

The Essentials of Integral Politics

Revisiting a Foundational Integral Text

Frank Visser / NotebookLM

Me to NotebookLM:

• Summarize the text "Integral Politics, A Summary of Its Essential Ingrediants" for me.[1]
• This model seems great for analytical purposes, but can it also formulate policies?
• Please explain the appeal of a super rich, sexist and racist Donald Trump among blue collar workers, women and people of color.
• How is this view of Integral Politics US-centric and how can it be made more globally relevant?
• In the Netherlands liberals are seen as right wing conservatives, and socialist and green parties are left wing.
• What is the best strategy to unify the various segments of the Left?
• What explains the rise of right wing to extreme right wing movements in Europe?
• Why was this model hidden in an unpublished manuscript, written in prose format?

Summarize the text "Integral Politics, A Summary of Its Essential Ingrediants" for me.

This document provides an overview of the main themes and ideas drawn from selected excerpts of Ken Wilber's work on Integral Politics.

It highlights the need for a political approach that integrates all aspects of human experience, based on the AQAL model (All Quadrants, All Levels, All Lines, All States, All Types).

Summary of Key Themes and Ideas:

1. The Fundamental Difference Between Left and Right

Wilber (via the character Lesa Powell) suggests that the core difference between the Left (Democrats) and the Right (Republicans) lies in how they answer the question of why people suffer.

Right: “You suffer because of yourself.” Suffering is seen as rooted in the individual (internal factors such as laziness, lack of morality, etc.).

“The Right will say, You suffer because of yourself.”

Left: “You suffer because of someone else.” Suffering is attributed to societal factors (external forces like oppression, unfair opportunities, etc.).

“The Left will say, You suffer because of someone else.”

This manifests in how they approach problems:

Right: Focus on internal change (character formation, family values, self-reliance).

“The Republican mostly recommends interior changes.”

Left: Focus on external change (material improvement, redistribution, social programs).

“The Democrat, exterior changes.”

In AQAL terms, the Right emphasizes the Left-Hand quadrants (the individual and collective interiors), while the Left emphasizes the Right-Hand quadrants (the individual and collective exteriors) as both the cause and solution of human suffering.

“In terms of AQAL Code, this simply means that the 'interiorists' or the 'internalists'—mostly Republicans in this country—emphasize the importance of the Left-Hand quadrants in the causation of human suffering, while the 'exteriorists' or the 'externalists'—usually Democrats—emphasize the Right-Hand quadrants as the primary cause.”

2. The Role of Developmental Levels in Politics

Political movements and parties arise from—and target—specific levels of consciousness:[2]

Conservative/Republican movements in the U.S. are rooted in strong amber/traditional values (nationalism, family, militarism, patriarchy, religious law).

“Mainstream Republicans or conservatives have very strong amber/traditional values.”

Political history in the West shows an evolution from red (egocentric) through amber (ethnocentric) to orange (modern, worldcentric, liberal) value systems.

“Up to around 1200 BCE in the West, the highest major mode of average consciousness was traditional amber.”

“Beginning around the Renaissance and culminating with the Enlightenment, a new level of values began to emerge—namely, orange—and with it, a radically new political philosophy: liberalism.”

Even in modern societies, individuals and subcultures exist at all developmental levels (magenta, red, amber, orange, green, etc.), which explains the ongoing "culture wars."

“Even in today's modern/orange world, magic/magenta values are still around, red values are still around, amber values are still around....”

3. The Four Core Variables of Integral Politics

Integral Politics seeks to integrate four main variables (along with some secondary ones):

Interior/Exterior Quadrants: Internal vs. external causes and solutions.

Individual/Collective Quadrants: Individual rights vs. collective rights.

“Does the political movement most emphasize individual rights or collective rights?”

Height or Developmental Level: The level of consciousness the movement comes from and appeals to.

“Refers to the level of consciousness from which the political party stems, and the level to which it is aimed.”

Type of Change – Translation vs. Transformation: Whether change is progressive/transformative or conservative/translative.

“Progressive and transformative, or conservative and translative?”

4. The Need for an Integral Approach

Current political landscapes (Left and Right) are partial, fragmented, and based on first-tier consciousness.

“Both the Republican and Democratic positions are partial, fragmented, alienated and alienating....”

Integral Politics is grounded in second-tier (AQAL) awareness, integrating all major dimensions of human being.

“Integral Politics is simply the politics based on second-tier awareness... including all quadrants, all levels, all lines, all states, and all types.”

By locating a political stance within the AQAL matrix (its “Kosmic address”), we can better understand its nature and intent.

“Simply find its Kosmic address, and you will begin to understand exactly what that political party is all about....”

An Integral Politics must be capable of addressing the entire spectrum of developmental levels.

“We need a politics that can speak to magenta and red and amber and orange and green and teal and turquoise and indigo....”

This is essential for social cohesion, as people exist at all levels.

“If you don't speak to those humans, you cannot possibly govern them without resorting to force.”

5. Individual vs. Collective in Integral Politics

The tension between individual and collective rights is fundamental.

The AQAL model suggests that neither is primary; both are equiprimordial—equally real and irreducible.

“There is simply an occasion, and that occasion has both individual and social dimensions, both of which are equiprimordial.”

An integral politics must balance both harmoniously.

Participatory democracy is seen as a method to link public and private autonomy, giving individuals a voice in the laws that govern them.

“If individuals have a voice in the laws that govern them... they are more likely to accept those laws and integrate into the system.”

6. The Role of Transformation and Translation (Progressive and Conservative)

Holons (wholes that are parts of larger wholes) can change via:

Translation: Change within a level.

Transformation: Movement to a higher level.

Progressive movements aim for upward transformation (driven by Eros).

Conservative movements preserve or return to earlier stages (driven by Agape).

Healthy Agape includes all levels; unhealthy Agape (Thanatos) leads to regression.

Healthy Eros pushes upward; unhealthy Eros (Phobos) represses.

An Integral view recognizes the value of both progress and conservation at every level.

“There is progressive amber and conservative amber... progressive teal and conservative teal, and so on.”

7. The Importance of “Stages as Stations”

Each level of consciousness must be seen as a legitimate station in life.

“Each level must be considered to be a station in life—or an honorable, to-be-respected lifeworld.”

An enlightened social theory lets each stage be itself, while governing from the highest available level (currently moving toward teal/turquoise).

“Let each stage be itself, yet govern from the highest—which at this point is turquoise.”

8. Rethinking the Left/Right Dichotomy with AQAL

Traditional definitions of Left and Right are partial, each based on just one or a few AQAL axes.

“Each of those different definitions has some truth but is founded on only one major scale.”

The most consistent distinction is the interior/exterior axis (nature vs. nurture):

“If we have to pick one, we say that the Left is externalist and the Right is internalist.”

Other axes (progressive/conservative, individual/collective, developmental level) add complexity.

An integral politics doesn't side with Left or Right—it integrates both.

“If you define yourself as Left or Right, one thing is sure: you're not Integral.”

9. The Role of the State (Regulator)

The State's role ranges from minimalist (libertarian/anarchist) to maximalist (authoritarian/totalitarian).

Ideally, the State embodies the ethics and morality of newly emerging higher levels of consciousness, correcting the pathologies of lower levels (e.g., civil rights movement).

“At its best, the State represents newly emergent, higher-level morality trying to overcome the lower-level morality.”

This variable operates independently of the individual/collective axis.

Conclusion:

The excerpts argue for a radical rethinking of political thought and action, grounded in the AQAL model.

A truly Integral Politics would transcend the traditional Left/Right divide by recognizing and integrating all dimensions of human experience—interior and exterior, individual and collective, multiple levels of consciousness, and the dynamics of transformation and translation.

This would enable a more comprehensive, inclusive, and effective mode of governance—one that honors the complexity of human nature and society.

The key challenge is how to implement this theory in practice—to build a political movement operating from second-tier awareness that respects and includes all “stations in life.”

This model seems great for analytical purposes, but can it also formulate policies?

According to the source, it is explicitly the intention that the Integral Political model (based on the AQAL framework) is not just meant for analysis, but also for policymaking and political action (praxis).

The source states that one of the main goals is to translate theory into practice and to create a “truly Integral Politics for an Integral Society.” It speaks of the need for an “Integral Political Practice” or a “current political action program.”

Although most of the text focuses on theoretical foundations and the analysis of existing political movements, it does mention elements that can serve as a basis for policymaking:

Integration of all AQAL elements: The core of Integral Politics is to consider, include, and integrate all quadrants, levels, lines, states, and types of human existence. This means that policy formulated from this perspective would take into account the internal and external dimensions of individuals and collectives, the various developmental levels present in society, and the diverse perspectives and values that come with them.

Governing from the highest available level of consciousness (teal/turquoise): The source suggests that governance should ideally be conducted from the teal/turquoise level of consciousness, which is capable of recognizing and integrating the validity of the different developmental stages (magenta, red, amber, orange, green) without reducing or dominating them. This would have implications for how policy is designed and implemented, emphasizing inclusion and the facilitation of growth.

The Trialectical Parliament: The source introduces the concept of a “Trialectical Parliament” as a potential feature of Integral Politics in the near future. Although the details are not fully developed, this suggests a concrete structure intended to embody the principles of Integral Politics in practice.

The Regulator Scale: The discussion of the “Regulator Scale” (the role of the State), ranging from minimalistic anarchist to maximalist totalitarian, emphasizes that the degree and nature of government intervention is a key variable within Integral Politics. Policy choices would be based on an integral analysis of context and the potential impacts across the various AQAL dimensions.

Transcending and integrating Left and Right: The model aims to move beyond the partiality of traditional Left-Right oppositions and to integrate the valuable aspects of both perspectives. Policy emerging from this model would not be ideologically one-sided but would aim to find solutions that do justice to the complexity of societal issues, taking into account both individual and collective needs, as well as internal and external factors.

In short, the source does present the Integral Political model as a foundation for policymaking, though this particular text places more emphasis on the conceptual framework and the analysis of current political landscapes. It offers a holistic approach that, in theory, should be capable of generating more comprehensive and effective policies by considering a broader range of human and societal dimensions than traditional political ideologies. However, the specific development of concrete policies based on this model is not elaborated in detail in this source and would require further work.

Please explain the appeal of a super rich, sexist and racist Donald Trump among blue collar workers, women and people of color.

It's a complex question why someone like Donald Trump—described as super-rich, sexist, and racist—can attract support from groups such as blue-collar workers, women, and people of color. The source does not analyze specific political figures or their appeal to demographic groups. However, we can use some of the concepts from the source to explore possible explanations, building on our earlier discussion.

The source emphasizes the distinction between Left and Right based on whether the root cause of human suffering is seen as internal or external.

Trump's rhetoric often emphasizes individual responsibility and economic success. This can resonate with some blue-collar workers who take pride in hard work and personal effort—an outlook the source associates with the political Right. His promises to bring back jobs and strengthen the economy may directly align with this group's interests. His focus on strong national identity and protecting American jobs may also strike a chord.

The source also discusses different levels of consciousness, such as amber (traditional), orange (modern/individualistic), and green (postmodern/collectivistic).

Part of Trump's appeal may lie in invoking more traditional (amber) values such as nationalism, patriotism, and a strong sense of community. While his personal behavior may not always reflect these values, his political messaging—often centered on a return to a supposedly glorious past—can resonate with segments of all these demographic groups, including blue-collar workers nostalgic for an era of greater industrial employment.

His emphasis on economic growth, competition, and individual achievement may also appeal to those with a more modern (orange) worldview, including blue-collar workers striving for upward mobility and personal prosperity.

Trump's appeal to women and people of color—given the descriptions of him as sexist and racist—remains complex and may seem paradoxical at first glance. The source does not offer a direct explanation. However, based on the concepts it discusses, there are possible interpretations, as we explored previously:

These diverse groups contain a wide range of priorities and values. Some voters within them may place greater weight on other aspects of Trump's platform—such as his economic promises, his tough stance on immigration, or his opposition to the political establishment—than on concerns about sexism and racism. For some blue-collar workers, for example, immigration may be seen as a threat to their job security.

Some supporters may interpret Trump's statements and behavior differently from his critics, or may not consider them decisive in their voting decisions.

Part of the appeal may stem from a desire for change and a rejection of the status quo. Trump's image as an outsider who challenges traditional politics may be attractive to some voters in these groups who feel their interests have not been adequately represented in the past. This sentiment can run especially deep among blue-collar workers who feel economically or socially left behind.

The source notes that political preferences are complex and shaped by multiple factors. Individual voters weigh various dimensions—such as internal vs. external causes, individual vs. collective values, progressive vs. conservative orientations, and levels of consciousness—in different ways.

It's important to emphasize that the source does not offer a specific analysis of Trump's appeal. The points above are interpretations based on general concepts of Integral Politics discussed in the text. A deeper analysis of the voting behavior of specific demographic groups would require detailed research that goes beyond the scope of this source.

How is this view of Integral Politics US-centric and how can it be made more globally relevant?

The presentation of Integral Politics in the source clearly shows a strong focus on the United States, which is partly inherent to the context in which the text was created (as an analysis of American culture wars). This US-centric character is reflected in several ways:

The initial and most concrete examples of Left and Right are consistently linked to the Democratic and Republican parties in the US. While the author acknowledges that these definitions are used loosely at first, this binary serves as a constant reference point throughout the text.

Many of the political issues used as illustrations are specifically American, such as the debate over gun control and the Columbine shootings.

The historical overview of political movements in the West emphasizes Western events such as the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Although there are occasional references to Eastern history, the elaboration is primarily Western-focused.

The analysis of the current political landscape centers on the division within American politics, describing tensions between different wings of the Democratic Party (orange vs. green) and the Republican Party (amber vs. orange).

There are specific references to American cultural and political phenomena, such as “Boomeritis,” the “culture wars” in the US, and figures like Karl Rove, as well as events like the controversy around Larry Summers at Harvard.

Even the question about the greatest problem facing the West, posed in a poll among faculty at the “Integral Center,” implies a primarily Western—and likely American—perspective.

To make this vision of Integral Politics more global in scope, the following steps could be considered:

Broaden the definition and illustrations of the fundamental axes (internal/external, individual/collective, progressive/conservative) by explicitly incorporating examples from various political systems and cultures around the world. Rather than focusing primarily on the American Left-Right divide, the analysis could begin with more universal examples of political ideologies and how they map onto these axes in different countries.

Develop a more inclusive historical genealogy of political movements and levels of consciousness. This would involve explicitly exploring and integrating the influence of non-Western philosophical, religious, and political traditions on the development of various stages of consciousness and political systems within the AQAL framework.

Analyze concrete political challenges and debates in different regions of the world through the lens of Integral Politics. This would demonstrate the relevance and applicability of the framework outside the American context. Topics could include authoritarianism versus democracy across cultures, the role of religion in global politics, or the tensions between local traditions and globalization.

Examine how different levels of consciousness (magenta, red, amber, orange, green, teal, turquoise) manifest and influence political systems across diverse cultural contexts. The values and priorities underlying each level can vary by culture, and this should be reflected in the analysis.

Explicitly address potential cultural biases or limitations of the AQAL framework itself when applied to non-Western contexts. A critical reflection on the universality of the model—and possible adaptations or refinements to make it more globally relevant—is essential.

Use examples of diverse political parties and movements from around the world to illustrate classification and indexing within the AQAL matrix. This would enhance the model's perceived generalizability and utility.

Discuss the concept of a “World League” from a more global and inclusive perspective, accounting for the diversity of values, political systems, and levels of development worldwide. The challenges and conditions for such an organization should be analyzed from multiple cultural viewpoints.

Explore the interaction between the different “types” (as in “all quadrants, all levels, all lines, all states, and all types”) and cultural diversity in a global political context. How do cultural differences affect the expression of these types and their political preferences worldwide?

By taking these steps, the valuable insights of Integral Politics, as presented in the source, could be both transcended and included within a broader, globally relevant framework. This would enhance the potential of Integral Politics to provide a deeper understanding of the complexity of politics in an increasingly interconnected world.

In the Netherlands liberals are seen as right wing conservatives, and socialist and green parties are left wing.

It's indeed interesting that in the Netherlands, liberals are often seen as right-wing conservatives, while socialist and green parties are viewed as left-wing. At first glance, this may seem to contrast with how the terms “liberal” and “conservative” are sometimes used in other contexts, such as in the United States. To understand this from the perspective of Integral Politics, we can look at the various dimensions and axes discussed in the source.

According to the source, a fundamental distinction between Left and Right lies in their view of the causes of human suffering:

Right (conservative) sees the cause of suffering primarily within the individual (e.g., laziness, lack of moral values, etc.) and generally advocates for internal solutions (such as instilling values and personal responsibility).

Left (liberal, socialist, green) sees the cause of suffering primarily in external factors (e.g., oppression, unequal opportunities, social structures) and generally advocates for external solutions (such as wealth redistribution, social programs, government intervention).

The source suggests that this internal/external axis may be the most consistent way to define Left and Right. In that sense, socialist and green parties in the Netherlands—who typically emphasize a greater role for the state and social reform to address inequality and other issues—would indeed fall on the left side of this spectrum (externalist orientation).

However, the term “liberal” is more complex and has had different meanings throughout history:

The classical liberals of the Enlightenment (orange level) were often progressive (challenging the traditional amber level), externalist (in the sense of breaking with old structures), and individualistic regarding freedom and rights. They championed causes like individual liberty, democracy, and the separation of church and state.

The source notes that over time, the values associated with Left and Right have shifted. What was once seen as progressive liberalism (orange) may later be viewed by some as conservative, especially as new progressive movements (e.g., green level) emerge that challenge the status quo of the orange level.

Contemporary liberal parties in the Netherlands may place strong emphasis on economic freedom and free market principles. From the internal/external axis perspective, even if they don't stress individual "blame" to the same extent as traditionally conservative parties in the US (described in the source as strongly amber-oriented), they may still advocate for a minimalist government role in economic redistribution and social welfare. In the Dutch context—where socialist and green parties favor a more interventionist state to correct external inequalities—this can lead to liberal parties being perceived as "right-wing."

The progressive/conservative axis (transformation/translation) also plays a role:

Progressive forces focus on change and creating new forms, while conservative forces emphasize preserving what has worked in the past.

Dutch liberals, although historically progressive in their resistance to traditional structures, may now adopt a more conservative stance in relation to the changes proposed by socialist and green parties, particularly regarding economic and socio-cultural issues.

Thus, in the Dutch political context, the liberal parties' emphasis on economic deregulation and a smaller government (which the source sometimes associates with the Right in terms of less external intervention), combined with a relatively cautious approach to certain social and environmental issues, may lead to their classification as right-conservative compared to the more explicitly externalist and progressive agendas of the socialist and green parties.

It's important to remember that the labels “Left” and “Right” are context-dependent and that the specific meanings of these terms can vary between countries and over time. The AQAL framework helps us unpack the complexity of political ideologies by examining multiple dimensions (internal/external, individual/collective, progressive/conservative, levels of consciousness) instead of relying on a simple binary. The Dutch case illustrates how the interaction between these various dimensions can lead to a specific positioning of political parties within the local political spectrum.

What is the best strategy to unify the various segments of the Left?

According to the source, the best strategy for uniting the various segments of the political Left is the adoption of an Integral perspective (AQAL) that operates from a second-tier level of consciousness (teal/turquoise).

The source argues that the Left is currently divided between two major factions: the orange-modern wing, which holds onto Enlightenment values such as individualism and liberty, and the green-postmodern wing, which embraces collectivist values, multiculturalism, and a critical stance toward modern Western civilization. However, both wings share an externalist view of the causes of human suffering.

Ironically, the rise of the green-postmodern wing and its criticism of the orange-modern wing has, according to the source, contributed to the resurgence of amber-traditionalist values.

The source suggests that the only way for the Left to overcome this internal division and become more effective is to evolve to a higher level of consciousness—teal or turquoise. From this Integral perspective, the Left would be able to integrate the values and insights of both the orange and green wings. An Integral approach recognizes and includes all quadrants, levels, lines, states, and types of human existence. It asserts that political movements that only consider a partial set of these dimensions inevitably lead to fragmentation and partiality.

In summary, the best strategy for unifying the Left, according to the source, is:

Embracing the Integral (AQAL) framework: This would enable the Left to fully grasp the complexity of human existence and political ideologies, including the various dimensions driving current divisions.

Evolving to a second-tier level of consciousness (teal/turquoise): This higher level of awareness would allow the Left to transcend and integrate the differing values and perspectives of the orange and green wings, rather than viewing them as inherently contradictory.

Recognizing the different developmental levels within society: An Integral Left would be capable of engaging with people across a range of consciousness levels and crafting policies that account for this diversity, rather than attempting to impose a single set of values.

By following these steps, the source claims, the Left can become a more coherent and effective political force, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

What explains the rise of right wing to extreme right wing movements in Europe?

The source primarily discusses the dynamics of political movements within the context of the United States and offers a general framework (the AQAL model) for understanding political ideologies. While it does not directly address the specific reasons behind the rise of right-wing and far-right movements in Europe, we can use some of the concepts and insights from the text to outline possible explanations:

Shift toward amber values: The source suggests that traditional conservative (right-wing) values are deeply rooted in the amber level of consciousness, which is characterized by traditional, ethnocentric values such as nationalism, family values, militarism, and patriarchy. It also notes a recent shift among voters toward amber values. If a similar dynamic is occurring in Europe, this could provide fertile ground for the rise of right-wing and far-right movements that emphasize such traditional values.

Reaction to the Left: The source describes a tension within the Left between the orange-modern wing (based on Enlightenment values like individualism and liberty) and the green-postmodern wing (which embraces collectivist values and critiques Western modernity). It suggests that the green wing's critique of the orange wing may paradoxically lead to a resurgence of amber values. A similar dynamic may be at play in Europe, where tensions within the Left and the emergence of certain progressive ideologies could provoke a backlash in the form of increased support for right-wing and far-right alternatives.

Focus on internal causes: The source identifies a key difference between the Left and Right in terms of how they explain human suffering. The Right tends to focus on internal causes (individual behavior, lack of values), while the Left focuses on external causes (social structures, inequality). In times of economic or social uncertainty, right-wing and far-right movements in Europe may become more appealing by emphasizing national identity, traditional norms and values, and personal responsibility—framing problems in terms of internal factors (such as immigration or cultural change) rather than broader systemic issues.

Critique of "value neutrality": The source critiques the perceived "value-neutrality" of liberalism, arguing that it can create a vacuum that is filled by conservative forces. Right-wing and far-right movements often offer a clearly defined value system, which may contrast with what some perceive as a lack of moral clarity in more liberal or progressive ideologies—something that can be attractive to certain voters.

Fragmentation of the political landscape: The source describes the current political landscape as fragmented and partial. The rise of right-wing and far-right movements in Europe could be seen as part of this broader fragmentation, in which established political systems fail to adequately represent the diverse concerns and beliefs of the population—thus creating space for new, more radical movements to emerge.

It is important to note that the source does not specifically apply these points to the European context. The above analysis is an extrapolation of the general concepts discussed in the text, applied to the context you requested. For a more complete and nuanced understanding of the rise of right-wing and far-right movements in Europe, consulting additional sources is strongly recommended.

Why was this model hidden in an unpublished manuscript, written in prose format?

The model of Integral Politics was embedded in an unpublished prose manuscript for several reasons, as indicated by the sources:

Narrative context: The manuscript containing the description of Integral Politics is a shortened excerpt from a series titled The Many Faces of Terrorism, in which the political map is discovered/created by a character named Lesa Powell. The serious political content is thus embedded in a narrative—albeit one whose plot is not essential for understanding the political model. This prose format may enhance accessibility for a broader audience but could also diminish its immediate recognition as a purely theoretical work.

Preliminary and rough sketch: Ken Wilber himself calls this work an “extremely crude, rough outline” of ideas he began developing around 2004. He notes that while the basic principles are, in his view, accurate, he has “of course” continued to refine them. This suggests that the material was not considered a finalized or definitive model at the time of writing.

Repetitive structure: Wilber points out that the excerpt is “extremely repetitive,” partly because a portion of it—referred to as the “Handout”—was intended as a standalone section, causing much of the text to reiterate what's in the Handout. This structure, which may be tedious for readers, could be a reason the work was never published in that form.

Work in progress: The manuscript was part of a “long work-in-progress” that eventually became a three-part series known as The Terrorism Trilogy. The fact that it was a work in progress implies that the ideas were still under development and possibly not ready for publication as a standalone work on political theory.

Context of the culture wars: Wilber notes that this work, like Boomeritis, was written before the culture wars had escalated into the extreme polarization they later became. While he was surprised by how accurately Boomeritis predicted the absurdities of the culture wars, he may have wanted to further refine the political map in light of the changing political landscape before publishing it formally.

Focus on other publications: Wilber indicates that more recent writings on politics and the culture wars were to be posted. This may suggest that his focus shifted to more timely analyses, making the earlier narrative-embedded model a lower priority for publication in its original form.

In short, the Integral Politics model remained in an unpublished prose manuscript likely due to its narrative integration, the preliminary and unfinished nature of the ideas, the repetitive structure of the text, its status as part of a larger work still in development, and possibly Wilber's desire to further refine the model in response to evolving political conditions before presenting it more widely.

NOTES

[1] Ken Wilber, "Integral Politics, A Summary of Its Essential Ingrediants", www.integrallife.com, 2018 (Fragment of a work-in-progress called "The Terrorism Trilogy" or the three volume The Many Faces of Terrorism, this writing started in 2004).

[2] Color terminology used in this text refers to the following: