The 21st Century Revolution: A Call to Greatness

by Bruce Nixon

Overview

Today, we face the greatest challenges in human history.

There is a widespread collapse of confidence in current politics and economics, and our environment is teetering on the brink of catastrophe. The challenges are enormous, but so are the opportunities to create a society based on the wellbeing of all. 

This rigorously researched, compact and accessible book makes sense of the situation, offers hope and radical solutions. Above all it empowers you to get involved and shows you how you can actually make a difference.

Do you want to create a happier, fairer, greener, more peaceful world? Then this book...
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911079040
Publisher:	Bruce Nixon
Publication date:	10/30/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	298
File size:	357 KB

About the Author

After gaining a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, I emigrated to USA and worked in a department store in Los Angeles. After nine months I decided I am essentially European and returned to the UK. I worked in human resources management in Alcan Jamaica for nearly six years. Working in Jamaica was a transformative experience: I became firmly anti-racist. Jamaicans are uniquely talented. Jamaican slaves were particularly rebellious and the British gave the Maroons what amounted to independence in the centre of the island. I handed over my job to a very able young Black Jamaican who ultimately became Chief Executive and Chairman of Alcan Jamaica. We became lifelong friends. Returning to the UK, I had the opportunity to work in the City and develop my interest in organisational change and leadership development. My boss excelled in this work. Working in a traditional organisation, I learned a how to facilitate change from within: by building relationships and working with people who want change, yet respecting people who represented the wisdom of the organisation as well. These were important lessons. I wrote many articles about what I learned and published the first of altogether six books. I have always been interested in innovation, change, progressive ideas and justice. I learned by working with the best practitioners I could find, attending their workshops, reading their books and inviting them to come in and work with us. Many of the best books and much of the best practice is American. So I adapted it for use with UK directors and managers. In 1987 l set up an independent management consultancy, helping leaders create better workplaces, facilitating participative change, culture change, teamwork and helping women and men work together more effectively. With colleagues I offered a development programme for consultants. I also taught at business schools. By 2007 I realised that my main interest was in global issues. I gave up working in the corporate world. What I had learned in the City stood me in good stead for my new work. I wanted to help create a fair, sustainable and non-violent world. I have published six books and many articles and blog posts. I give talks in schools, colleges, universities, communities and at conferences. My focus now is on transforming our outdated democracy and bringing it into the 21st Century. See my book The 21st Century Revolution: A Call to Greatness: http://www.brucenixon.com/21stCenturyRevolution.html and updated by my Blog: https://brucenixonblog.wordpress.com/ . I love writing I published my first book and my first article in 1980, both about the work I was doing in the City. I used writing to reflect on what I was doing and share what I learned with others - what worked, what I learned and what I would do differently. And I now realise that what worked in corporations, the kind of leadership and the kind of processes, such as consensus building and empowering people, is equally relevant if not vital in 21st Century politics - see Re-imagining Politics https://brucenixonblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/18/re-imagining-politics/ and Progressive leadership for the 21st century https://brucenixonblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/progressive-leadership-for-the-21st-century/ and Collaborating for change- we need a revolution in how we do politics https://brucenixonblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/26/collaborating-for-change-we-need-a-revolution-in-how-we-do-politics/ . I am now writing my reminiscences. I have travelled widely. I took part in a study tour in Cuba on organic cultivation and their political system, a course on Ghandi and Globalisation at Vandana Shiva's organic farm at a conference centre in India. I have a large family including Americans and Chinese: five children and six grandchildren. Born and bred in West Kirby on the Wirral, and educated at Birkenhead School, I am proud of my Merseyside roots.

Table of Contents

The 21^st Century Revolution - A Call to Greatness

Contents

Introduction

Part One – Challenges and opportunities – the current system is a rip-off

1. I listen to a lot of people in all walks of life
2. The multiple challenges we face
3. The environmental challenge – we’re sleepwalking to disaster
4. A fatally flawed mind-set
5. Neoliberalism exposed

Part Two – Bringing about the revolution – it’s already happening; we just need to give it a very strong push.

1. Environmental solutions - before it’s too late
2. An economy that works for all
3. Resolving conflict without violence
4. Transforming democracy - a great power shift from politicians to people
5. Conclusion – daring to be great

Resources

Appendix on systems thinking

Editorial Reviews

The greatest problem of our age is disempowerment – part of a political project to shift ordinary people out of power and out of politics, to leave them content to judge their identity by the brand of smart phone they rent. Bruce Nixon lays out the fullest dimension of this disempowerment and its fatal consequences. But he also outlines a way out; a way for all of us to become real citizens in a real democracy. The call to greatness not only refers to our own personal liberation from the shackles of disempowerment, but to the scale of the collective endeavour it will allow us to embark on - saving our species. It doesn’t get much bigger. Nick Dearden, Director, Global Justice Now.

This is a book jam-packed with solutions - hurrah! And, it all starts with the self; great change calls on each of us to step up and respond to the call of greatness. Whether it be changing our politics, our monetary system, our laws, our business ethics - at the heart of each resides something truly great. Bruce Nixon brings to life not only what is possible, what is already emerging, and also what could yet come into being. Polly Higgins, Barrister, International Ecocide law advocate.

This is an amazing book - not just because it tells us what’s wrong with our society and how to put it right - but because it is full of hope and love for people and our planet. The world is a better place for The 21^st Century Revolution – A Call to Greatness and its author Bruce Nixon - the book inspires me to help make the 21st century revolution happen. Neal Lawson, Chair of Compass.

A fascinating read and a really good contribution to the debate about the future of democracy. Katie Ghose, Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society

Don’t despair – read this book! We can have a new economic system that works for people and planet, if enough of us meet the current (huge) challenges head-on and summon the greatness that each of us are capable of. Bruce Nixon brilliantly sets out a course of action and hope. Stewart Wallis, Executive Director, New Economics Foundation

Bruce highlights the harmful consequences of our debt-based money system and the need to change the way money is created. Ben Dyson, Founder of Positive Money.

“This book gives a great perspective on what has gone wrong with Britain in terms of its social, economic and ethical priorities. It is also a minefield of facts and figures and useful research links. Highly recommended." Madeleine Holt, co-founder, Rescue Our Schools.

This is an important and timely book and will be of great interest to trade unionists fighting austerity and inequality. The focus on a sustainable economy and good green jobs is particularly welcome. At a time of rising social, economic and environmental injustice, this book gives ordinary working people hope that a better, fairer future can be within our grasp. Frances O’Grady, general secretary, TUC

Bruce’s book is a comprehensive account of the social and political obstacles standing between us and a more sustainable future. In response to that, he proposes a collective approach, and that’s absolutely right – if we want change, people power is going to be at the heart of it. Dale Vince, Ecotricity Founder

Read this excellent analysis of what's gone wrong, take heart and fight for positive change! Yvonne Roberts, Journalist and Fellow of the Young Foundation

From the Publisher