Creating Sustainable Societies: The Rebirth of Democracy and Local Economies

Today, many Americans are frightened and angry. We face serious financial, environmental, economic, and social problems, as well as technological threats. Yet just when we need them most, our politicians and political systems appear increasingly dysfunctional. The hope for practical solutions seems to grow fainter with time. We want to pass a better world on to our children, yet the one they will inherit will be worse than our own. Creating Sustainable Societies: The Rebirth of Democracy and Local Economies offers a practical plan for action. It proposes a nuts-and-bolts blueprint, a positive vision, for transforming society from the grassroots up. It is an answer to "how," as in: How do we empower citizens and build a more just and democratic society? How do we create more jobs and improve our local economies? How do we encourage corporations to be more socially responsible? How do we generate more funds for our local nonprofits and schools? How do we increase community pride and well-being? How do we protect the environment and get to sustainable from here? The book describes an approach and technology that would allow citizens to cooperate at the metro level in demonstrating new, sustainable financial, economic, and governance systems. Involvement occurs on a volunteer basis, and the new systems complement current ones. The proposal is designed to boost local economies and engage citizens in effective democratic self-governance. If these new systems produce benefits at the local level, they will serve as positive models to society as it seeks solutions to the pressing problems of our day. From the back cover: The United States faces serious economic, environmental, and political challenges. Many Americans are angry and afraid for the future. In this bold and visionary book, John Boik makes the case that we are capable of creating a path that leads away from decline and toward revitalization. His proposal would empower citizens to take the lead, strengthen local economies, and transform business and politics into healthier, citizen-guided endeavors. Dr. Boik proposes an approach to social transformation based on ideals of cooperation, justice, environmental responsibility, direct democracy, and transparency'all integrated into an online application that could revolutionize the way people conduct business, fund services, invest locally, and engage in government. It empowers citizens to decide their own futures and step forward on a path with heart. A citizen-centered future is coming, and this work will hasten its arrival.