Society's Breakthrough: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People

By Jim Rough

Jim Rough's new book, Society's Breakthrough is a challenging yet thoroughly hopeful look at pressing and often intransigent problems. Rough offers a new way to explore whatever we think are society's most pressing issues. More important, he shows us how to transcend problems in favor of what truly matters to us and to society.

Rough's vision of a socety in which "We the People" truly govern ourselves and the institutions, organizations, and communities we create is nothing short of inspiring. Through innovations such as "choice creating," "dynamic facilitaton,"wisdom councils," and a simple, yet far-reaching amendment to the constitutin that he calls the "Citizen's Amendment," he asserts that We the People can reassert control over a system that has gone astray. Society's Breakthrough! describes how such changes would enable us to "come together and seek what is best for all, rather than authomatically relying on self-interested competition."

Whether Rough is correct in regard to all the details of how the changes would come about, or not, his vision of "a living conversation" as the basis for society-making and policy creating is brilliant. It permeates the book. It lifts us above the details, inspiring us to imagine a society that is "more collaborative than competetive, more thoughtful than argumentative," and that would allow us to "exercise our creativity in the service of all." Perhaps more important than the vision is the fact that Rough outlines a comprehensive strategy for making such a living conversation possible at any and all levels of society.

I started the book as a skeptic however Rough led me through his novel proposals and solid reasoning with clarity, power, and convincing arguments and examples. I recommend this book to anyone interested in change in government, organizations, and business. And to anyone interested in becoming a more thoughtful and empowered citizen.

Bruce Elkin
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