The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth CommunityDavid Korten’s classic bestseller When Corporations Rule the World was one of the first books to articulate the destructive and oppressive nature of the global corporate economy. In The Great Turning he argues that corporate consolidation of power is merely one manifestation of what he calls “Empire”: the organization of society through hierarchy and violence that has largely held sway for the past 5,000 years. The Great Turning traces the evolution of Empire from ancient times to the present day but also tells the parallel story of the attempt to develop a democratic alternative to Empire, beginning in Athens and continuing with the founding of the United States of America—although elitists with an imperial agenda have consistently sought to undermine the bold and inspiring “American experiment.” Finally, Korten draws on evidence from sources as varied as evolutionary theory, developmental psychology, and religious teachings to make the case that “Earth Community”—a life-centered, egalitarian, sustainable alternative to Empire based on democratic principles of partnership—is indeed possible. And he outlines a grassroots strategy for beginning the momentous turning toward a future of as-yet-unrealized human potential. |
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agenda American Athenian democracy awakening believe British Bush capacity challenge chapter choice citizen Cloud Minders colonies competition cooperative corporate create creation creative Cultural and Spiritual cultures and institutions David Korten defining democracy democratic dominator Earth Charter Earth Community economic Eisler Elisabet Sahtouris elite Empire Empire’s energy engage environmental essential established experience family and community favor Frances Moore Lappé growing Ibid Imperial Consciousness individual justice Korten labor land leaders learning life’s living Mae-Wan Ho Matthew Fox mature means ment military million moral nation nature neoliberal organized partnership peace percent planet plutocracy policies political Positive Futures Network possibilities potential prosperity Raffi Cavoukian reality relationships religious responsibility Riane Eisler role rule rulers share slaves social species Spiritual Consciousness stories tion trade Turning U.S. Constitution United values violence wealth women workers York