The Solution Revolution: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises Are Teaming Up to Solve Society's Toughest Problems
Executives Eggers and Macmillan set out to explain the multitrillion dollar “solution economy,” which is arising as governments partner with the private sector (citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs, and foundations) to address society’s urgent and deep-seated problems locally and worldwide. This new approach replaces the historic government-dominated model for solving entrenched problems in fields including health care, poverty, education, housing, and recycling. The public-private partnerships are possible because of technology and access to funding, collaborating tools for citizens to work together on challenging issues, and corporate awareness that enables its leaders to devote resources to addressing society’s pressing problems. The authors cite many new players in the societal problem-solving arena during the last 10 years, including  Acumen, Ashoka, Kiva, and Zipcar. The authors conclude that a brighter future is ours “if we are savvy enough to grasp it.” Loaded with important information for a wide range of library patrons. --Mary Whaley