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I can't honestly offer a "star" rating as yet, but since I had to make a choice, I feel my rating is justified based on what I've seen so far.
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This is no extremist anti-corporate, anti-capitalist text, although it does clearly come to the conclusion that the vector of economic globalisation that we are on is neither inevitable, desirable nor sustainable. It is notable for arguing at the level of underlying principles and their practical consequences - it makes explicit the assumptions underlying corporate globalisation and questions them. This, in itself, is a valuable service as so much of the 'debate' in the media proceeds on the basis of bald assertion of essentially fallacious economic dogma.
The report starts with a critique of 'corporate globalization'. The term itself is useful, because the term 'globalization' has become something of a 'Humpty-Dumpty' word ('when I use a word, it means exactly what I want it to mean, neither more nor less'). 'Corporate globalization' describes a process driven and promoted by the large global corporations which, whatever its other consequences, gives primacy to the benefits that will flow to global business.
The critique identifies eight key features of corporate globalization:
1. 'Promotion of hypergrowth and unrestricted exploitation of environmental resources to fuel that growth
2. Privatization and commodification of public services and of remaining aspects of the global and community commons
3. Global cultural and economic homogenization and the intense promotion of consumerism
4. Integration and conversion of national economies, including some that were largely self-reliant, to environmentally and socially harmful export oriented production
5. Corporate deregulation and unrestricted movement of capital across borders
6. Dramatically increased corporate concentration
7. Dismantling of public health, social, and environmental programs already in place
8. Replacement of traditional powers of democratic nation-states and local communities by global corporate bureaucracies.'
It demonstrates each of these propositions and explores who are the beneficiaries of application of these policies. One of the complexities of trying to follow the arguments of the pro- and anti- globalisers is that both use statistics, both from apparently authoritative sources, that directly contradict each other. It is almost as if the two sides inhabit parallel universes that operate in different ways. Suffice it to say that the report puts forward convincing arguments in support of its case.
The critique proceeds to a devastating analysis of the impact of the World Bank, The IMF and the WTO, the three pillars of corporate globalisation, over the last four or five decades.
The report then argues ten principles for sustainable societies, as a basis for identifying ways of realising these principles in the subsequent chapters of the report. It argues that these principles 'seem to be the mirror opposites of the principles that drive the institutions of the corporate global economy.'.
One of the minor problems in the debate is that, whereas 'globalization' rolls easily off the tongue, 'the principle of subsidiarity' is neither easy to say nor obvious in its meaning. The report contains a chapter on the case for subsidiarity, and it is a strong one. The counter argument is almost entirely concerned with power. While there are many elements of conflict between corporate globalisation and the principle of subsidiarity - local control - they are not entirely antithetical. But the reach of the large corporates would unquestionably be reduced.
You may or may not agree with the arguments in this report, but they deserve serious attention. They are well and carefully argued, they represent (in fairly sophisticated terms) the views of a growing number of people around the world who believe that current beliefs and institutions serve them poorly, and they show those who wish to promote change a path for doing so.
What makes the book really important is the positive solutions and alternatives offered. The authors offer real ways to put into practice the Tikkun Community's first and second core principles (interdependence and ecological sanity, and a new bottom line in economic and social institutions).
I think other Tikkun readers, progressive-Democrats, Green party members, and thoughtful people everywhere---who want to see the world change from how it is now to how it could be---would want to read a book outlining specifics of how to create sustainable energy, transportation and food systems. And Alternatives to Economic Globalization does just that. I can't recommend this book enough (in fact I've already bought several copies to give to some of my friends).
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I read a lot in this genre of self-help and spirituality and I have to say, this book caught me by surprise. Partly it's because there's such a light touch to every story. Anderson is a pastor but he doesn't preach.
I loved the one titled, Hands off: We Hatch Alone. It's about his visit to a kindergarten class where they were hatching a box of chicks. All the children were instructed to keep their hands folded behind their backs. Anderson did too. And then he spins a gentle tale of how this simple posture of attentive detachment works in our relationships. "We cannot stop drinking for someone else...we cannot lift the pall of depression...If they are going to break into freedom, they will have to hatch themselves."
And so it goes, story after story. There's the one about the cat, Oliver, who has the instinct to hunt but when he actually gets outdoors, meekly returns to the warmth of the kitchen. I sat there thinking about all the times the door of opportunity slid open for me and I retreated. I have a name for this now. I used to call it fear. Now I call it Oliver.
Then there's the one about the woman who received last rites and came back to life for the love of meat loaf. And the one about American men (and husbands) and how the best path to spiritual growth and vital relationship with our spouse might just be dancing lessons.
Finally, I guess why I like this book is that Anderson is such a likeable guy. The book is solid gold but it has the warmth of a real person living a real life. He's smart and witty but he's also just a lot of fun, the kind of neighbor you'd be eager to see and talk to over the fence.
I loved this book. I'm giving them away for Christmas!
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These sermons have to deal with, as the title says, marriage and family life. A real knockout is Chrysostom's sermon on how to choose a wife. Although it is set in 4th-century proto-Byzantine culture, the basic principles still stand. If only more preachers would offer such frank counsel on this issue from the pulpit today....
This text is inexpensive, so I would recommend giving a copy to someone who is at the stage in life where they are forming their ideas of marital/romantic relationships. Chrysostom's voice provides a good -- and well-articulated -- counterpoint to the dreck that passes for relational counseling these days. If nothing else, this volume may make them think critically about the cultural assumptions of our modern society, so they do not merely get swept along in the current of trendy mores.
St. John, as always, lays forth an eloquent (yet simple & easy to understand) convincing argument for his views on marriage. He doesn't advocate marrying for money or looks or social position (something I'm sure is way more common than most people would want to admit) he advocates marrying for virtue. St. John argues that virtuous and poor is a million times better than excess gaeity & wealth.
He lays out criteria for selecting a wife, as well as traits that husbands and wifes should display. Not only does he discuss the institution of marriage, but he also talks about wedding celebrations themselves. Other topics such as sex are discussed as well (he doesn't hold negative view of it.)
He greatly stresses EQUALITY OF RESPONSIBILITY of both partners to make a marriage work. Children are also discussed in great detail. St. John Chrysostom is not only a great writer, but a holy man whose words we should try to incorporate into our lifestyles.
Highly recommended book.
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His argument runs like this: If Christ was fully God and fully man, then matter must not be seen as fundamentally evil. In fact, (and here St. John of Damascus follows St. Athanasius) if Christ took upon our human flesh, then matter has actually been redeemed. Icons, then, as a pictorial representation of a transcendent reality should be seen in the same light: their being made is not at all heretical and the reverence that is paid to them is a way of worshiping the God they signify, rather than they themselves as created objects. The theology behind icons is, for St. John of Damascus, fundamentally incarnational.
The book is quick, easy reading that will give every preson something to reflect on. Such a short, simple text is easily accessible to both the scholar (or, if you are like me, the arm-chair theologian) and the worshiper. For those of you interested in better understanding Christian thought, this is worth having in your library.
The book is especially useful for reference, as it explains the derivations and many forms of complex equations such as the continuity equation. Furthermore, there are lots of examples of real-world design situations and historical backgrounds.
Overall, one of the best books I have used in my undergraduate aerospace engineering curriculum.