Occupy World Street: A Global Roadmap for Radical Economic and Political Reform
Publishers Weekly-Jackson, chairman of the Danish-based foundation Gaia Trust and co-editor ofGaian Economics: Living Well Within Planetary Limits, provides a comprehensive and lucidly written history of neoliberal economics and its effects, tracing the inequalities inherent in neoliberal economic planning. Neoliberalism, as Jackson illustrates, isn't an inevitable historical development, but rather an "artificial construct" created by people with a self-serving strategy that neglects the rest of humanity. Jackson presents the fundamental flaws in modern economics, locates the turning point in regulation and economic behavior, and then shows how and why things have devolved to their current state through the actions of the IMF and WTO. He traces a new, emergent worldview, proposing a solution in the form of a Gaian economic system, in which smaller, decentralized, diverse communities with a degree of local democracy form the proposed utopia, in contrast to the branded neoliberal free market of corporate dreams. A return to a simpler, more satisfying, and sustainable lifestyle is both necessary and inevitable, Jackson argues. The book is a how-to, "get serious about survival" guide, laying out a "global governance structure" and providing us with several strategies to try to get there. Hopefully, Jackson's ideas won't fall on deaf ears."Many writers have inventoried the unfolding disasters that threaten the human future. Ross Jackson is one of the very few who goes on to spell out a visionary, yet practical, program of sufficient ambition to achieve a positive future. Best of all, he draws on his distinctive experience and credentials as a global currency trader to outline sound proposals for redesigning the badly flawed systems of global trade and finance that currently drive the world toward economic, social, and environmental collapse. This is a truly important book."--David Korten, co-founder ofYES! Magazine, author ofAgenda for a New Economy"Amazing! Ross Jackson's proposal for post-collapse strategy is the first plausible, constructive scenario I have seen."--Dennis Meadows, co-author,The Limits to Growth"Occupy World Streetis a masterpiece which deserves to get wide circulation and commitment by world leaders."--Maurice Strong, Secretary-General of the UN Earth Summit, Rio 1992"Occupy World Streetis a monumental and inspirational call to action-and a long-awaited blueprint for how the actions should be implemented."--John Perkins, author ofConfessions of an Economic Hitman"Ross Jackson offers practical solutions to the course correction so sorely needed today."--John Renesch, author ofGetting to the Better Future"Occupy World Streetis a profound and urgently needed roadmap for the future of human civilization"--Will Keepin, author ofDivine Duality"Jackson's initiative has the potential to unite hundreds of NGOs and millions of ordinary citizens in the streets behind a single simple proposal (that could change the current dysfunctional game.)"--Hazel Henderson, author ofEthical Markets: Growing the Green Economy"A brilliantly detailed template for how to materialize enlightened global society."--Llyn Roberts, author ofShapeshifting into Higher Consciousness"Ross Jackson, who is one of the world's wise elders, describes a range of new global institutions that can give birth to a world of sustainable prosperity."--Duane Elgin, author ofThe Living Universe"Ross Jackson's reform proposals for our global institutions are more than astonishing-they are mind-blowing-pure creative genius. Let's do it!"--Clinton Callahan, author ofDirecting The Power of Conscious Feelings"Ross Jackson has written the definitive analysis of why the current system cannot reform itself and why a completely new system must be born."--Jim Garrison, Chairman and President, State of the World Forum"Ross Jackson presents us with an extraordinary global plan to tackle the multiple crises of our times-awesome in conception, sensitive in detail, and realistic enough to succeed."--Richard Register, author ofEcocities-Rebuilding Cities in Balance with Nature