Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy : How Civic Entrepreneurs Are Building Prosperous Communities (Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series)

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Summary: New hope for South Africa found in Amazon!
Review: As we grapple to build a new society in South Africa, Grassroots Leaders for a new Economy shone like a beacon to show there is a way. A way to build trust and collaborative relationships in an emerging economy.

Although based primarily on examples of US communities, many of the problems faced by cities and regions around the world have remarkable simialarities. There is much we can all learn from each other and this book is remarable in sharing the insights gained by 1000's of community leaders.

Practical and down to earth, Doug Henton and his co-authors give a step by step guide to building the necessary trust and dynamic working relationships in a diverse community.

This is essential reading for anyone involved in community development.

Tony Heher,Pretoria,South Africa

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Summary: Prescription For Community Change In The Early 21st Century
Review: Beginning several decades ago with Alvin Toffler and carried on by Peter Drucker, Thomas Friedman and a host of other writers, a number of examinations of change in our world and how we can/should/may cope with all of it have made their way to bookstore shelves.

This current epistle by three writers who've had some hands on experience in working with communities who want to adapt to the switch in the United States from that of a manufacturing based society to a technology based one offer some insights garnered over the past decade or so by communities that are changing the focus of their notion of what the change means to their communities.

Using diverse regional examples such as San Jose, California and Silicon Valley, Austin, Texas, Cleveland, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona, the notion of the civic entreprenuer as the force for change is nicely developed. The writers demonstrate how leaders from government, business, as well as the education sectors can come together to become a powerful source of community improvement. A specific example of this used in the book is Enterprise Florida; an organization clearly focused on garnering a fair share of the economic opportunities available to communities in the Sunshine State.

For those who understand the forces being brought to bear on communities, and for those who want to practice the mantra of thinking globaly while acting locally, this work can be especially meaningful, and well worth the time it takes to read.

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Summary: Going Global instead of Going Local
Review: Having looked at the sample pages, I am led to be very skeptical about the thesis. Anyone reading this book should also read Michael Shuman's "Going Local." Some of the examples Henton et al. use appear as counerexamples in "Going Local."

Henton et al. are right in one sense, it is possible to create a more prosperous community by going global, but it may not be the most desirable prosoperity:

1. There is likely to be more inequality, as the split between lucky winners and unfortunate losers increases.
2. The prosperity is likely to be cyclical and unstable because it will be dependent on the world economy and the whims of external investors.

The correct solution (Shuman's solution) is to focus on providing the basics to as many local community members as possible.