In this straightforward exploration of core problems facing humanity, hope is combined with realism based on confidence in the energies and capacities of citizens outside government to meet the pressing challenges we face today. Saunders presents an eye-opening approach to politics, focusing on the cumulative, multilevel, open-ended process of continuous interaction over time in whole bodies politic across permeable borders, either within or between countries. Showing how this approach works on the ground through examples from West Virginia to South Africa, Tajikistan to China, this book is a major contribution to our understanding of the state of the world and the prospects of democracy.
"I congratulate Hal Saunders for urging practitioners, academics, and other readers to recognize those in the private sector as indispensable political actors. I can testify to the remarkable energy, ability, creativity, and determination of individuals in meeting the challenges to human progress our world faces. This ground-breaking political paradigm deserves our most serious attention." - Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States and Nobel Laureate
"Hal Saunders has written an insightful and thought-provoking book that should be read by anyone concerned about improving negotiating methods and approaches." - Henry A. Kissinger, Former Secretary of State
"Hal Saunders has written a remarkable book, brimming with insights that will challenge scholars and policymakers alike. He dares to offer a unified theory of politics, allowing us to see the world whole in a way that promises to change not only what we see but also what we can do. With fascinating case studies of actual processes by which citizens transformed their world in South Africa, Tajikistan, and West Virginia, and a sophisticated and rich theoretical framework, this is a rewarding read." - Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
"Information is power and in today's global information age more people have access to that power than ever before. Hal Saunders, one of America's wisest and most experienced diplomats, explains why in this world we need to look beyond governments and recognize the role of the whole body politic in crucial dialogues." - Joseph S. Nye Jr., former dean, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
"Hal Saunders has written an insightful and thought-provoking book that should be read by anyone concerned about improving negotiating methods and approaches." - Henry A. Kissinger, Former Secretary of State
"Hal Saunders has written a remarkable book, brimming with insights that will challenge scholars and policymakers alike. He dares to offer a unified theory of politics, allowing us to see the world whole in a way that promises to change not only what we see but also what we can do. With fascinating case studies of actual processes by which citizens transformed their world in South Africa, Tajikistan, and West Virginia, and a sophisticated and rich theoretical framework, this is a rewarding read." - Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
"Information is power and in today's global information age more people have access to that power than ever before. Hal Saunders, one of America's wisest and most experienced diplomats, explains why in this world we need to look beyond governments and recognize the role of the whole body politic in crucial dialogues." - Joseph S. Nye Jr., former dean, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University