Description: In Quakers and Politics, Carl and Margery Post Abbott establish the theological roots of political activism among members of the Society of Friends.

By profiling a number of representative individuals and describing the major institutions through which Quakers influence public policy, the Abbotts trace the history of Quaker activism and survey the political involvement of Quakers today.

Quakers and Politics brings a special approach to political action that draws on 360 years of activism.

Verdict: For those unaware, I shall quickly bring you into the mix, so to speak, for the Religious Society of Friends (better known as the Quakers) is a diverse global community.

Indeed, you may have heard about Quakers sitting in silence, waiting for a message from the Holy Spirit. That’s a crucial part of how Friends worship—but each Quaker community can, and often does, have its own way of doing things.

Hence, Quakers have been influential in shaping public policy, even though a relatively small faith movement. Therein, this new, and very informatively helpful new book Quakers in Politics, draws together examples of Quakers who have impacted public policy around the world; both as individuals and members of Quaker organizations, recognizing without exaggerating the impact of the Quaker movement.

So, I hear you ask, just what is the Quakers main political view? Well, their agenda focused on disarmament, conscientious objection, sustainable energy, restorative justice, and human rights, but those are just some various examples, of course. Quaker bodies in different countries may also develop policy proposals that they can feed in to political processes.

With each Friends Committee composed of members of the Religious Society of Friends, who bring spiritual values to bear on public policy decisions in vast majorities, their public policies grow out of their basic belief that there is that of God in every human being and that God’s love endows all creation with worth and dignity.

And that through individual and corporate worship, they try to be open to the will of God and to express God’s spirit in all relationships and levels of interaction, whether personal, community, state, or global.

Furthermore, they work together to secure justice and freedom for all people, that they may live at peace with one another. As seekers after truth, Friends strive to make the social, economic, political, and environmental aspects of our lives consistent with our spiritual values and Quaker heritage. They endeavor to live in right relationship with the earth.

They also seek to engage in the positive, continuing process of interpreting to people in government our convictions on the moral and spiritual values that should undergird government and law. They will work to encourage spirit-led decision making on legislative matters.

They will always listen to others, convey their beliefs about policy issues, urge members of the legislature and others in government to support specific policies and actions, and try to shape and support practical legislation consistent with their convictions.

Also showcasing the fact that they will also work to encourage and facilitate Friends’ participation in the political process, whether as voters, activists or elected officials, authors Carl and Margery Post Abbott have provided us here with a simply excellent, smooth, informative, read that highlights all the work done by, as the title says, Quakers and Politics.

About the Authors - Margery Abbott is a widely published Quaker author who has taught regularly in the UK and US. She was the Backhouse Lecturer for Australia Yearly Meeting in 2017. She has also served as clerk for the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, DC.

Carl Abbott is Professor Emeritus of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University, USA. He is the author of numerous books in the fields of urban history and science fiction criticism. They live in Portland, Oregon.

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