Citizen Renaissance - Latest Comments

Re: Renaissance Realised

colinrose — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:37:35 -0000

I couldn't agree more with your ideas on "Calls for regulation and transparency, felt the world over, are really coded pleas for responsibility and accountability".

There is a always a lot of talk around the need for radical transparency to
regain public trust. How much of this will be necessary once the financial
markets stablise and people start getting raises again and can take a deep
breath? And how much will we want to listen to it all?

I am starting to think the focus need be more on telling people what you
are going to provide, and making sure you can provide it again and again and again.

People call for transparency and information, but if this happened we’d all
learn each others hidden agendas and be shocked and feel negatively toward the
system even further. Instead of telling each other everything, why not engage in
behaviour that need not be hidden?

I have some more ideas on the Barometer I’ve dropped into my blog at
highfivecolin.co.uk – colinrose

Re: Europe: The Crucible of Trust

Simon Sudbury — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:25:24 -0000

Right in the sweet-spot, Robert. I wonder whether "the shockingly steep declines in Trust" you refer to might be amplified by respondents' feeling of general malaise, rather than specific issues. Is "frame of mind when taking this survey" measured/weighted/stripped out at all? If not, this year's report has the characteristics of a tipping point, not just a decline.....

Re: Europe: The Crucible of Trust

Rick Murray — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:28:04 -0000

Great post, Robert.

Re: “There Is No Such Thing as Society”, Margaret Thatcher

Mr Troy Johnson — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:49:42 -0000

£

I didn't like Mrs Thatcher saying what she said '' there is no such thing as society''. Comments like these alienates and ostracizes the lone individual and the elderly. I mean she meant it in a monetary sense but for the vast majority it came as a powerful statement and an attack against community.
We (the human civilisation) have always had society and for a prominent politician to make such a statement is like saying 'there is no God'.
Poor England its always the country that suffers.

Re: From cargo-cult to slowcialism

phone number lookup — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:04:45 -0000

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Re: Who Do We Trust

Christina Marx — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:04:54 -0000

it was a great pleasure to listen to Robert as trust is the currency of our work. As to Lord Chadlington and Roberts report on what he said, I widely agree, especially on the point of "over simplifying" the world's complexity. Listening to Chadlington you got the impression of "PR saving the world". I'm not sure I want this. What if we fail?

Re: New Economic Measures

Soft Chewable Kamagra — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 06:53:28 -0000

These illegal aliens are sinking the entitlement ship for Americans. ... Often referred to as Comprehensive Immigration Reform, pro-amnesty groups seek to ..Pfeffer retired from the Assembly to become the Queens County Clerk. ... reform taxes andentitlements and balance our budget—President Obama and his

Re: About

Rider I — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:23:50 -0000

Communist China has declared war on the Allies and our leaders and agencies are to pathetic to respond.

Communist China has waged cyber warfare on the US and allies. To gain specific economic information to create economic terrorism so their SOE's always have the upper hand.

Communist China funded Osama Bin Laden and directed him to attack the US on her soil. So as to drive us into a Charlie Wilson style liquidation war.

Communist China funds and directs communist guerrillas world wide to attack Democracy and free markets. So their SOE's can create Free Trade Zones.

Communist China illegal uses their SOE's which are supposed to be disbanded or at least stop subsidized. Which they have not done. They have conglomerated them down to thousands of major SOE's that are way to noncompetitive.

Communist China has already stop the shipment of rare earth resources to the US. In which the US was standing up with Japan on the idea of the rare earth resources being completely owned by the Communist Chinese in the world.

Communist China has bulled the US's little friends like ASEANIC XXXOOO

Communist China has sold RPG's to US domestic terrorism. Along with trying to sell them straight to their own proxy agents in the US of Al Queada Pakistani intelligence operatives. and Taliban Iranian Intelligence operators. Both funded and protected by the Communist Chinese.

Communist China funds and protects African Genocide. Where tens of thousands of Christian Democracy and individual liberty believers have been fully wiped out by the MSS's protected and backed leaders. As our missionaries have also been killed by the MSS inside of Africa.Then the MSS and CCP get cheap resource contracts to help them keep their almost complete monopoly on the worlds supply chain.

Communist China has over 60 diplomatic espionage bases legally in the US. While the US is only allowed 4 in Communist China.

The Communist Chinese build us smart bombs that they can drone along with our fighter jet technology that they can drone. Yet they will not allow our countries military or congress to inspect the installations where they are built to make sure there are no back door cyber or physical programs being implemented.

Just like the CIA predicted some 20 odd years ago. The Communist Chinese used Tesla's electromagnetic green tech weapons to attack Japan. To force them to become weak as three days before they green tech nuclurized them. They had flown over high tech fighters and with weapons engaged on Japanese Naval ships in their own waters.

The Communist Chinese attacked the South Korean ship. As the South Korean ship notified that there was a flock of birds coming up on the radar however, eye's and ears could not see the flock of birds. Then a week later the Communist Chinese unveil their first stealth bomber.

Communist Chinese proxy agents of Al Queada and Communist Guerrillas in the Philippines kidnap a German Ambassador's family during the time the German's where backing the Philippines in their wish as a small turtle island to keep their ability to mine and use the minerals for their economy. Over the greedy resource world monopolized Communist party.

Communist China forces the Catholic Church into a State Owned Enterprise and cuts off the CEO the Pope from being able to use their ancient rights to intellectual property and spiritual beliefs.

Communist China works with Dr. Locke of the US Commerce, Van Jones and the US Science director. To leak 80% of the US's domestic tax stimulus for the worlds most advanced newest form of energy analogous to nuclear and physics energy. Which has cost us the industrial ability to cognition a defense via a surplus in industry.

Communist China leads a major cyber attack on BP briefly before it blew up. Then after the incident thought to out contract in specific key areas that only a leak could have known about.

The list goes on. They have declared war against Democracy and the free market. Yet the Democracy and the free market via weak leadership is to afraid to declare war back. Everything I said is backed with empirical evidence.

Along with that their is an MSS agent leading the UN Economic Development DESA Chair. Which states that funding terrorism and genocide is a cheap way to get resources for Communist China.

Furthermore, right before the Communist Chinese unvailed their first Air craft carrier. Which they lied about and bought it under the guise of it being a museum. The Philippines Al Queada and Communist guerrillas attacked. While the North Korean's shelled the South Korean's. While in a neighborhood filled with Al Queada operatives and Communist Chinese backed guerrillas, Maoist they call themselves in Britain. Start a major full scale economic warfare action of rioting. Even though the guy who was killed had a gun in Britain. When they do not allow guns, and he was in a gunfight with the police. mmm, really peaceful first run, not.

Rider I
3,000 articles and books.
http://rideriantieconomicwarfa...

My Prayer in Polemically sent 200 million backed Christian Brother Hood wishes.

All this while our allies of India, the EU, Balkans, Turkey and many others. Go starving for minerals and their own jobs. As the Communist Chinese have done what the KGB wanted to do which is centralize the worlds resources to their single party control.

A cognition that the Communist Chinese SASAC State Owned Enterprise central controller. Along with the MSS economic espionage units are attacking the US and allies for their SOE business to be noncompetitive with the world. As a WTO international treaty has asked them to disband their SOE's and at least stop subsidizing them. However, my list above shows how they are using major war games to subsidize their SOE's.

I wish the Communist Chinese to follow the WTO international treaty that says they have to stop using their SOE's in a centralized militarized fashion

/ii\

The racist Communist Chinese fund terrorism and genocide in the world to gain cheap resources to centralize the worlds resources to their 97% monopoly

Communist Chinese use Proxy agents then invade via SOE free trade zones after the economy is weakened by the fighting of proxy agents

How the Communist Chinese Party and their espionage unit fund terrorist and genocidal dictators that oppress world women's rights.

Over four years ago, America suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history, caused by a terrorist group largely known as al Qaeda. About a month after the attack, it was first reported that Communist China bought unexploded American cruise missiles from al Qaeda in order to "reverse engineer" them, i.e., use them to advance its own cruise missile capabilities. That report was just confirmed on Nov. 29. The subsequent silence from mainstream media has been deafening. What gives here? For over four years, as the democratic world has fought the War on Terror, Communist China has managed to stay out of sight and out of mind, despite the information above and immediately below. Even the pro-democracy, anti-Communist movement has largely been quiet on this. This remains a terrible and dangerous mistake. For those new to this topic, what follows is a quick synopsis of Communist China's actions regarding al Qaeda and the Taliban. 1998: After the American cruise missile attack on al Qaeda, Communist China pays up to $10 million to al Qaeda for unexploded American cruise missiles. 1999: A book by two Communist Chinese colonels presents a battle scenario in which the World Trade Center is attacked. The authors recommend Osama bin Laden by name as someone with the ability to orchestrate the attack. September 11, 2001 (yes, that date is correct): Communist China signs a pact on economic cooperation with the Taliban. Just after September 11, 2001: The Communist press agency makes a video "glorifying the strikes as a humbling blow against an arrogant nation." Also after September 11, 2001: According to Willy Lam (CNN), the Communist leadership considers al Qaeda to be "a check on U.S. power," and only decides to back away from it after deciding that "now is not the time to take on the United States." Also after September 11, 2001: As Pakistan mulls a request from the United States to allow its troops to be based there for operations against the Taliban, Communist China—a 50-year Pakistan ally—announces it would "oppose allowing foreign troops in Pakistan." Also after September 11, 2001: U.S. intelligence finds the Communist Chinese military's favorite technology firm—Huawei Technologies—building a telephone network in Kabul, the Afghan capital. November 2001: As U.S. Special Forces and local anti-Taliban Afghans are liberating Afghanistan, Communist China, through public statements and behind-the-scenes actions, tries to prevent what it calls "a pro-American regime" in Kabul. 2002: Raids of al Qaeda hideouts by U.S. Special Forces and allies net large caches of weapons from Communist China, including surface-to-air missiles. This comes weeks after the U.S. government warns that al Qaeda terrorists in the U.S. would try to use said missiles to take down American planes. April 2002: Then-Communist Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, while visiting Iran, rips the U.S. military presence in Central Asia. Late summer 2002: Almost a year after Afghanistan's liberation, a three-man delegation from the Taliban—led by Ustad Khalil, purported to be Mullah Omar's right-hand man—spends a week in Communist China meeting with cadres, at their invitation. August 2002: Intelligence from the post-Taliban Afghan government reveals that Communist China has turned a part of Pakistan deemed under its control (most likely "Aksai Chin," the piece of disputed Kashmir that Pakistan gave to its longtime ally in the 1960s) into a safe haven for al Qaeda. May 2004: Media reports expose how the Communist Chinese intelligence service used some of its front companies in financial markets around the world to help al Qaeda raise and launder money for its operations. Yet Communist China continues to claim that it is our friend in the War on Terror, and foolish supporters of "engagement" continue to believe it. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's not merely al Qaeda that has received Communist support (for more on Communist China's extensive ties to terrorists, check out my book on the subject), but given the nearly universal acceptance of al Qaeda as an enemy of the democratic world, one would think that the above information would be enough for a serious and thorough reexamination of our relations with the Communists. After all, Communist China's reasons for supporting anti-American terrorists are not difficult to ascertain. The U.S. is the main obstacle to the Communists' plans for conquering Taiwan, replacing Japan as the lead power in Asia, and replacing the U.S. as the lead world power. If Communist China fails in any of these, its reliance on radical nationalism—the regime's raison d'etre since the Tiananmen Square massacre—will backfire badly. Thus, the Chinese Communist Party sees the United States as the chief threat to its power, and its survival. Yet President Bush has not once demanded that Communist China end its support for al Qaeda—indeed, he has not even acknowledged the existence of that support. Sadly, he is not alone. In fact, those of us who insist on spreading the word about this are in the distinct minority. If we are to win the War on Terror, this must change. The War on Terror is, in fact, part of the Second Cold War—the cold war between Communist China and the democratic world. As such, the War on Terror can not and will not be won unless the free world sees the Chinese Communist Party for what it really is: an enemy. The road to victory in the War on Terror ends not in Kabul, Baghdad, Tehran, or Damascus, but in Beijing. America and her allies will never be secure until China is free. D.J. McGuire is President and Co-Founder of the China e-Lobby, and the author of Dragon in the Dark: How and Why Communist China Helps Our Enemies in the War on Terror. http://www.homelandsecurityus.... http://rideriantieconomicwarfa...

/ii\

Books that I think should be in all colleges

These are books I think should be in every college. Since one of the reasons I started my cites. Was because I found so many articles being written on the Communist Chinese fascist economic model idea and not a lot on the free market model. So since my cite i have seen a balance start to reemerge and the idea that Democracy and Free Markets is still the way to go start to re enter the news and media. The articles and books i started seeing where they stated the Fascist Communist model of China is a miracle really tickled me pink.

Ok so I figure if I speak with the Publishing companies I could probable get $2,000 units for around $10 each as a lot of them are out of print or hardly sold. There are ~58 books. SO that is $580 a set if publishers agree to the mass quantity price. So then for one set that is around 1.16 just to get those all out to 2,000 schools. That is never is going to happen. Oh well I can dream. Of course hopefully some of the schools would have some so that would lessen the units of cognition against the MSS. Plus I am missing some books I would like to send. However, this is a massive list.

Economic espionage and industrial spying

http://www.amazon.com/Economic...

~$35 a unit

Back on the Road to Serfdom: The Resurgence of Statism

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Roa...

~$25 a unit

Seeds of Fire: China And The Story Behind The Attack On America

http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Fi...

~$15

Competing with the Government: Anti-Competitive Behavior and Public Enterprises

http://www.hooverpress.org/pro...

~$20

The Right to Earn a Living: Economic Freedom and the Law

http://www.amazon.com/Right-Ea...

~24

The Party: The Secret World of China's Communist Rulers

http://www.amazon.com/Party-Se...

~$25

The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-...

~$25

The Politics of International Economic Relations

http://www.amazon.com/Politics...

~100

In Denial: Historians, Communism and Espionage

http://www.amazon.com/Denial-H...

~25

The China Price: The True Cost of Chinese Competitive Advantage

http://www.amazon.com/China-Pr...

~15

Business Wargaming

http://www.amazon.com/Business...

~125

China's Communist Party: Atrophy and Adaptation

http://www.amazon.com/Chinas-C...

~25

Individualism and Economic Order

http://www.amazon.com/Individu...

~25

The Chinese Communist Party as Organizational Emperor: Culture, reproduction, and transformation

http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-...

~155

Lies, Terror, and the Rise of the Neo-Communist Empire: Origins and Direction

http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Ter...

~35

Capitalism and Freedom: Fortieth Anniversary Edition

http://www.amazon.com/Capitali...

~20

War by Other Means: Economic Espionage in America

http://www.amazon.com/War-Othe...

~5

The Party: The Secret World of China's Communist Rulers

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...

~20

Dragon in the Dark: How and Why Communist China Helps Our Enemies in the War on Terror

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-D...

~310

Europe's Red Terrorists: The Fighting Communist Organizations

http://www.amazon.com/Europes-...

~55

The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Bo...

~49

Sticky Fingers: Managing the Global Risk of Economic Espionage

http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-F...

~29

The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won

http://www.amazon.com/Coming-C...

~20

China's Ministry of State Security:
coming of age in the international arena
http://www.amazon.com/Chinas-M...

Out of Print Probable why the MSS set up one of their biggest bases at University of Maryland. I wonder if they stole the blue prints for the book.

Corporate spy:
industrial espionage and counterintelligence in the multinational enterprise with case studies : abridged version

https://market.android.com/det...

~35

Chinese Intelligence Operations

http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-...

~41

A Convenient Spy: Wen Ho Lee and the Politics of Nuclear Espionage

http://www.amazon.com/Convenie...

~10

Tiger Trap: America's Secret Spy War with China

http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Tr...

~25

Freedom Fighter A Saga of Fighting the Nazi and Communist Oppressions

http://www.worldwartwobooks.co...

~30

China Witness

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...

~15

The Soviet Art of Brain-Washing: Communist Psychopolitics and the Slaughter of Western Culture

http://www.amazon.com/Soviet-A...

~30

A business man looks at communism

http://www.amazon.com/business...

~Out of Print

Spymaster: Dai Li and the Chinese Secret Service

http://www.amazon.com/Spymaste...

~85

China Counting: How the West Was Lost

http://www.amazon.com/China-Co...

~50

Intrigue: Espionage and Culture

http://www.amazon.com/Intrigue...

~45

Fascism (Political & Economic Systems)

Http://Www.Amazon.Com/Fascism-Political-Economic-Systems-Downing/Dp/0431124337

~10

Empire of Lies: The Truth about China in the Twenty-First Century

http://www.amazon.com/Empire-L...

~25

Enemies: How America's Foes Steal Our Vital Secrets--and How We Let It Happen

http://www.amazon.com/Enemies-...

~10

Economics Does Not Lie: A Defense of the Free Market in a Time of Crisis

http://www.amazon.com/Economic...

~25

Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy America

http://www.amazon.com/Unrestri...

~59

The China Threat: How the People's Republic Targets America

http://www.amazon.com/China-Th...

~27

Marxism, Fascism, and Totalitarianism: Chapters in the Intellectual History of Radicalism

http://www.amazon.com/Marxism-...

~25

We the Living
http://www.aynrandbookstore2.c...

~25

Deception: How Clinton Sold America Out to the Chinese Military

http://www.amazon.com/gp/searc...

~19

The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. 1: The Spell of Plato

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Soc...

~25

The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. 2: Hegel, Marx, and the Aftermath

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Soc...

~25

In the Jaws of the Dragon: America's Fate in the Coming Era of Chinese Hegemony

http://www.amazon.com/gp/searc...

~15

Faces Of Janus: Marxism And Fascism In The Twentieth Century

http://www.amazon.com/Faces-Ja...

~31

Interpreting China's Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future

http://www.amazon.com/Interpre...

~40

China's Trapped Transition: The Limits of Developmental Autocracy

http://www.amazon.com/Chinas-T...

~29

Privatization: critical perspectives on the world economy
out of print

http://books.google.com/books?...

Private Sector Development in Low-Income Countries

http://www.amazon.com/Private-...

~27

Privatization: Principles and Practice

http://www.amazon.com/Privatiz...

~22

Detente, Democracy and Dictatorship

http://www.amazon.com/Detente-...

~31

The Origins of Totalitarianism

http://www.amazon.com/Origins-...

~17

The Beijing Consensus: How China's Authoritarian Model Will Dominate the Twenty-First Century

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...

~23

Hegemon: China's Plan to Dominate Asia and the World

http://www.amazon.com/Hegemon-...

~9

The China Fantasy: How Our Leaders Explain Away Chinese Repression

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...

~25

Democracy as Problem Solving: Civic Capacity in Communities Across the Globe

http://www.amazon.com/Democrac...

~28

Rider I
Especially since their Economic Espionage units of the MSS are overwhelming our counterintelligence. So we could help more students learn about the problem. I personally think Business degrees should include an economic espionage class.

Re: “There Is No Such Thing as Society”, Margaret Thatcher

David Salter — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:07:01 -0000

Never ceases to amaze me how such a very clear and concise statement could be so widely misinterpreted.

The unfortunate thing is that Socialists have saught to hang on to a single soundbite, taken totally out of context and place the opposite meaning upon the actual words spoken by Mrs Thatcher at the time.

This statement sought to explain (in very simple terms I might add) that society was not an entity in it's own right, but was in fact made up of Human Beings. She was trying to explain to those who take out of society without at least attempting to put back in that they are not taking from a nameless faceless society, but in fact taking from another individual or family. She was attempting to place a human element in order that people could recognise their social responsibility to each other.

The same and largely uneducated benefit classes today are still misguided in their belief or understanding that there is some magical pot from which they collect their weekly benefit cheque. They fail to realise or even recognise that the fact that they take out necessitates another human being to put something extra in at the other end.

In addition She talks about the need to accept responsibility to look after not only ourselves, but also to share the burden of care for those less fortunate. She talks about the difficulties in providing a moral compass for Children who are shown no care at home and the need for community and schools to share the responsibility for offering compassion and nurture to these less fortunate children.

We all have a duty to do our best to make a contribution to the community or 'society' in which we live. We have an obligation not to rely on others to pick up our tab and to pick up the tabs of those who are unable not unwilling to pick up theirs.

Re: “There Is No Such Thing as Society”, Margaret Thatcher

Peter D Gardner — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:33:11 -0000

This is a willful misrepresentation of what Margaret Thatcher said. Here is what she actually said in an extract from the transcript of her interview for Woman's Own on 23 September 1987:
'I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people
have been given to understand"I have a problem, it is the Government's
job to cope with it!" or"I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to
cope with it!" "I am homeless, the Government must house me!" and so
they are casting their problems on society and who is society? There is
no such thing! There are individual men and women and[fo 1]
there are families and no government can do anything except through
people and people look to themselves first. It is our duty to look after
ourselves and then also to help look after our neighbour and life is a
reciprocal business and people have got the entitlements too much in
mind without the obligations, because there is no such thing as an
entitlement unless someone has first met an obligation and it is, I
think, one of the tragedies in which many of the benefits we give, which
were meant to reassure people that if they were sick or ill there was a
safety net and there was help, that many of the benefits which were
meant to help people who were unfortunate—" It is all right. We joined
together and we have these insurance schemes to look after it" . That
was the objective, but somehow there are some people who have been
manipulating the system and so some of those help and benefits that were
meant to say to people:"All right, if you cannot get a job, you shall
have a basic standard of living!" but when people come and say:"But
what is the point of working? I can get as much on the dole!" You
say:"Look" It is not from the dole. It is your neighbour who is
supplying it and if you can earn your own living then really you have a
duty to do it and you will feel very much better!"

'There is also something else I should say to them:"If that does not
give you a basic standard, you know, there are ways in which we top up
the standard. You can get your housing benefit."

But it went too far. If children have a problem, it is society that is at fault. There is no such thing as society.
There is living tapestry of men and women and people and the beauty of
that tapestry and the quality of our lives will depend upon how much
each of us is prepared to take responsibility for ourselves and each of
us prepared to turn round and help by our own efforts those who are
unfortunate. And the worst things we have in life, in my view, are where
children who are a great privilege and a trust—they are the fundamental
great trust, but they do not ask to come into the world, we bring them
into the world, they are a miracle, there is nothing like the miracle of
life—we have these little innocents and the worst crime in life is when
those children, who would naturally have the right to look to their
parents for help, for comfort, not only just for the food and shelter
but for the time, for the understanding, turn round and not only is that
help not forthcoming, but they get either neglect or worse than that,
cruelty.'

She means society is not some independent entity but it is you and I. She said and meant that we are individually responsible for ourselves and to each other. She is arguing against the abdication of individual responsibility and the expectation of rights without responsibility that were and still are advocated by the socialist left. It is that leftist propaganda that encourages greed and envy and so poisons society.

Re: TaxPayers’ Alliance make a mockery of themselves by denying wellbeing evidence

Konstantinos Parsalidis — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:16:29 -0000

"We have seen mixed reviews", your article starts... Having clicked on all the links that you provided, have you had the time to check the comments of the various readers? That definitely shows no "mixed reviews" (unfortunately)...

Re: Chapter Five: Focus Group Politics and the Death of the Citizen

Julius Robesson — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:00:34 -0000

It will take decades to undue the cultural damage. The impending implosion of the west political institution might produce the shock required. I hope we do not have to endure another great conflagration to rekindle ideas like commonwealth.

Re: An Informed Society and a new hope?

@oratotim — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:59:58 -0000

It is curious how too much information often seems to lead to inertia. Quite how much more information people need to have on the failed banking system, climate change, unsustainable consumption et al, but the response of these informed citizens has been, to date, anything but active. Faced with the seemingly overwhelming issues facing humankind many seem to feel impotent, as if any action that they can take as an individual is of little consequence. Perhaps it is information overload; perhaps they do feel that with so many choices of wrongs to right that, in the end, they should be grateful for what they have. Whatever the reasons, there doesn't seem to have been a rush to polls, let alone the barricades.

Re: Chapter One: The Perfect Storm

Paul Hess — Sun, 29 May 2011 01:46:26 -0000

I like the metaphor of the perfect storm: it can include a big black cloud of air pollution and an invisible cloud of radiation from the on-going nuclear melt-down and its aftermath.

Re: Chapter One: The Perfect Storm

Paul Hess — Sun, 29 May 2011 01:24:50 -0000

You should add a chapter on toxicity that is contributing heavily to the epidemic of diseases correlated with the modern industrial economy: cancer, autism, asthma, chronic fatigue, chemical sensitities, etc. For example, 1 ins 67 kids in the US have autism, according to education department statisitics. More than half the US population has at least one disease, according to the Miliken Institute. And it is getting worse: the nuclear meltdowns at Fukishima continue each day to spew radiation that has reached measurable levels in the US. The medical system has virtually no response since doctors do not routinely measure toxic body burden or know detoxification protocols. Health care costs will remain high without treating and preventing these diseases at their causes. Health expenses are the single largest cause of personal bankruptcy in the US. There is loss of productivity, higher costs, and quality of life. The toxic crisis is already here. No wonder most green purchases are concerned with personal health.

Re: Chapter Nine: The Politics of the Green New Deal

Paul Hess — Sun, 29 May 2011 01:12:18 -0000

I like your steering toward the political middle and balancing values. I think there could be a unique logic of the middle that balances opposites. You could incorporate insights about these values and framing of insights from George Lakoff who explains how metaphors to families are the basis of politics: conservatives are a strict father morality in politics and progressives are a nuturing parent model of politics. Mulifaceted models grow out of the work of Clare Graves who influenced Spiral Dyamics and Worldview Thinking. I could take the time to write this myself if there is interest in including it.

Re: Chapter Nine: The Politics of the Green New Deal

Paul Hess — Sun, 29 May 2011 01:11:01 -0000

I like your steering toward the political middle and balancing values. I think there could be a unique logic of the middle that balances opposites. You could incorporate insights about these values and framing of insights from George Lakoff who explains how metaphors to families are the basis of politics: conservatives are a strict father morality in politics and progressives are a nuturing parent model of politics. Mulifacted models grow out of the work of Clare Graves who influenced Spiral Dyamics and Worldview Thinking. I could take the time to write this myself if there is interest in including it.

Re: “There Is No Such Thing as Society”, Margaret Thatcher

Iaincolquhoun — Thu, 26 May 2011 09:29:02 -0000

I thought you may appreciate a short poem I wrote at the time of Thatcher's declaration of intent ( as succint a prescription for fascism as any, given that the supreme value for fascists
lies in the State, to which the Individual, now severed from ties to family, community and the mass of common humanity, must surrender.. Ofcourse Thatcher, or one of her erstwhile followers has since said that she didn't quite mean it in the way many interpret it! I suppose she could say the same thing about her sending a birthcard to Pinochet, that the gesture doesn't have the meaning we attach to it..ie that she respects and admires the s.o.b.

"There's No Such Thing As Society"
- the gospel according to M. Thatcher

There's no such thing as Society,
We're all just atoms, floating free;
I use you and you use me,
There's no such thing as fraternity.

There's no such thing as human need,
There's just self-interest and greed;
I scratch your back and you stab mine,
Thereis no such thing as Humankind.

Re: Squaring The Circle?

Jasoncharles1 — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:59:57 -0000

I admire what you are trying to achieve and wishing all the be in revolutionising public relations to public engagement. You need to point those that query your work in PR to your book, then it will all make sense.

Re: Squaring The Circle?

@oratotim — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:45:58 -0000

I wholly agree with the assertion that PR can be an agent for change, but before it can play its role it is first a case of 'physician, heal thyself'. For too long PR practitioners have spun the myth that communications can be both segmented and controlled. The fact that neither is possible has been brought into sharp focus by the ubiquitous nature of social media. However, the positive opportunities that changing social norms and new communications technology offer can work together to create, inter alia, flatter, non-hierarchical organisations based on creative collaboration. This is fertile ground for PR professionals. They can make a real contribution to help leaders and organisations create the climate for the positive change that Robert talks about. But first they must rid themselves of much of the received wisdom of the past.

Re: Citizen Capitalism and the Peaceful Revolution

Josia Nakash — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:13:57 -0000

Dear Robert,

I love what you say and especially *how* you say it. You are unbelievably articulate.

It's not just capitalism that needs to be rebuilt from scratch but our entire society. In my opinion major corporations have a much bigger role in this process than governments because they are in direct contact with consumers on a daily basis through their products. A shift in values would be very welcome right now but what people really need is clear guidance for the next stage. The big companies need to explain to their loyal consumers what is going on in the world and how to organize their lives in a way that is in sync with the rest of humanity. This is how we can restore balance. At its essence this crisis is about our broken relationships. Learning how to rebuild them in a sustainable manner for everyone on the planet is the new education we all need to receive.

Corporate Responsibility programs need to explain the forces operating on our world, meaning the laws of nature, and how to apply them in a way that is beneficial for all human beings.

Yes we have overdrawn ourselves in every possible aspect of our lives and nature is not too happy with the situation. Humanity is at a crossroads and nature is pushing us to advance to the next stage.

Up until now business has focused on improving life for the individual. As we stand on the threshold of a new stage of our evolution, there is a need to shift awareness to the collective. The only way we will be able to achieve sustainable results in this stage is by conveying vital information about the new process humanity is going through – the Global Connection stage of our existence. The energy source that will fuel a better tomorrow is the energy of life - our collective vitality. Inside each of us are tremendous powers that need to be brought to the surface. That is what nature is forcing us to discover.

Now more than ever there is a need to leverage existing channels of communication to explain the new collective reality unfolding in front of us. Agencies especially need to use all their influence to feature positive messages about the new stage wherever possible. This is the key to reducing suffering in the world.

Ultimately, concepts based on renewing humanity in a significant manner will serve as the foundation for an improved world.

Re: Milton Friedman is Dead

Neta Luria — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:47:59 -0000

Jamey, Robert - would you mind if I'll join the debate? (about a year late.... I know).

Firstly, may I say, I really like old Milton. I think it's because he reminds me of my grandpa.

I completely agree with Robert - the shift has definitely moved from shareholder to stakeholder interests. Social and environmental considerations are now ought to be an integral part of any company's agenda. And aren't we all thankful for that! But the question is - does it mean that Milton was wrong when he asserted that business only cares for its profit?

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure that there are more than a handful of CEOs who truly care for these values. But the reality is - they no longer have a choice. Consumers are more educated, demanding and aware than ever before, and are interested in the world that lies behind the product which they purchase. In this competitive environment, companies must retain their edge. And when it's not consumers - regulation requires some minimal compliance in order for them to penetrate the market.

In a research I conducted at Cambridge in 2009, I looked into products which were awarded with a certain 'green label'. The corporations behind those products were regarded as 'environmentally friendly' by consumers, although most of them admitted to me that they added an extra production line which is 'green', rather than introducing a substantial change to their old, polluting production lines. This is the story behind self-regulation, what you refer to as "Responsibility" that companies have nowadays.

Unfortunately, Milton was not proven wrong just yet. Let grandpa rest in peace!

Keep up the good work with 'citizen renaissance' - some fascinating stuff are written here!

Re: Millennium Consumption Goals

Mohan — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 01:24:52 -0000

Thanks for this good post! MCG is NOT an enforced tax on the rich. It is proposed as a voluntary set of targets for the willing (cities, communities, companies, individuals, etc.), with eventual support from the UN and governments.
Join the Millennium Consumption Goals Initiative (MCGI). For more, see our web site: http://www.millenniumconsumpti...
and read the article:
http://www.mohanmunasinghe.com...

Re: Beyond the Bankers: The Advance of Citizen Capitalism

Josia Nakash — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:08:45 -0000

Hello from Israel Robert,

This is my first time on your blog and a few great points jumped out at me right away:

1) Business needs to return to its (British) roots of being values-based, rather than purely profit-driven
2) This new capitalism needs a soul and should essentially be citizen-led
3) Beyond the bankers, this demands new operating models for business and new behaviours from our corporate leaders.

All of you great thinkers at Edelman say all the right things but what this will ultimately come down to is not some pretty corporate responsibility presentation for stakeholders.

Let me start with #3:
What really needs to happen in the next phase is for those major corporations to use their products to get a series of very distinct messages out to the masses. Positive messages about the new global reality we are facing and how we can best navigate it to the benefit of everyone - and I mean everyone - on earth.

Re #1:
It's not just a matter of values-based business but we will need to introduce an entirely new value system to live by to create a sustainable future. It is clear that the education we received to date is quite worthless in that regard. We have nothing of value to pass on to our children.

Re #2:
Everything will be citizen-led soon. And everything we need will be on the Internet.

The corporations you represent can play a huge role in this process but it will require really leveraging each brand's direct channel of communication with its customers.

Re: A cross between Pol Pot and Attila the Hun, or more Mother Theresa?

Large Pot — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:58:51 -0000

I'm so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.