Summary
How we can develop and
sustain a powerful, grassroots social change movement...
The book first defines the term "good society" as one in
which no one
is oppressed and in which people treat each other the way they would
like to be treated -- a safe, fair, just, democratic, humane,
compassionate, tolerant, and environmentally sustainable society. The
book then identifies the five primary obstacles to creating such a
good society:
* Adverse power structure, especially the opposition from
the power elite
* Destructive cultural norms
* Dysfunctional emotional conditioning
* Widespread ignorance, especially about positive
alternatives
* Lack of progressive resources
The book next skeptically evaluates a variety of social change
strategies and processes -- exploring what has worked and what has
not. This analysis suggests that we can create a truly good society
only by using democratic and nonviolent methods that prefigure a good
society -- in particular, through an extensive education process and
through broadly based social change movements that are massive in
size -- with at least a million progressive activists and advocates
working for fundamental change for decades.
The book then details a practical strategy for transformation in
which goodhearted people would take several steps:
* Form supportive communities with other people of
goodwill.
* Educate themselves and others to overcome their
ignorance,
hopelessness, and personal limitations.
* Learn to work together and practice change skills.
* Teach these skills to others and support and inspire
others to
work for positive change.
* Build powerful, grassroots social change organizations.
* Challenge the domination of the power elite and
destructive
cultural norms in all realms of society.
* Create alternative institutions that can meet
everyone's true needs.
To implement this strategy, the book outlines a project consisting of
an education and support system that could, over time, generate a
force of about a million skilled and dedicated people working
simultaneously for progressive change in communities all across the
United States. The last section details a plan for implementing this
project, beginning with a decentralized education program for
dedicated activists.
