Detensive Nation: From Regulation to Leadership [Paperback]

Ronald R. Cooke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2007

Our intensive consumption of oil, natural gas, coal, arable land, fresh water, minerals, and all the products of a sophisticated industrial economy is not sustainable. That means we humans will transition to a detensive Cultural EcoSystem. Every nation. Every culture. We shall learn to do more, with less. For those of us who live in an industrialized nation, the associated lifestyle change will be traumatic.

We can either try to manage a "soft landing" or let nature take its course. Constructive transformation must include the reformation of government institutions, the adoption of new lifestyles, and a restructuring of community life.

Detensive Nation, explores what is driving this transition, the challenges of lifestyle change, and the how government institutions can play a positive, constructive, and proactive role in redefining our Cultural EcoSystem. It describes the kind of government we will need, questions if existing institutions can survive, and then asks a key question:

who will lead us?

These are crucial election year issues for candidates at all levels of government. Detensive Nation lays out a practical strategic plan for community, state and national transformation. Success is possible if we have the collective will. Government must evolve from an institution that restricts human behavior, to one that encourages a sustainable lifestyle. From reactive to proactive. From negative to constructive.

From regulation to leadership.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Over the years I have worked with over 250 companies, large and small, on a wide range of projects. It has always seemed to me that successful companies were able to focus their human resources on business objectives. On the other hand, no matter how good they looked on paper, companies besieged by internal political squabbles eventually failed.

Governments are no different. Leadership and good management usually lead to success. Poor management leads to divisive confrontation. Followed by failure. Government is, after all, a business. Given a reasonable EcoSystem, it is effective management - not ideology - that makes government a functional success.

Hence the motivation for this book. I wanted to describe the EcoSystem elements that are driving us inexorably toward radical lifestyle change, and to propose a few ideas on how government can facilitate community transformation.

Resource depletion will change the role of government. Success demands positive, constructive, and proactive action for the benefit of those who are governed. That means leadership. Effective management. Human compassion. Social cooperation. And we will be looking for these qualities at all levels of government - Federal, State, Regional, County, and Local.

In Detensive Nation you will find some answers. But I do not pretend it describes the perfect solution. Indeed, I have doubts if all my ideas are practical. Rather, I like to think of this book as a starting point for an active discussion of our future. What kind of government do we want? And how do we get it in place?

About the Author

Ron has over 33 years of professional marketing and business development experience, as well as an extensive background in market research, technology assessment, industry analysis, and strategic planning. An economist by training, Ron has pursued the study of Cultural Economics since 1969. He has authored "Oil, Jihad and Destiny", a thought-provoking research report on oil depletion, “Detensive Nation”, a book that redefines the role of government in an Energy Detensive EcoSystem, and a free introduction to these subjects ”The Report on Oil Depletion” which may be found on his WEB site www.tce.name.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (September 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141967482X
• ISBN-13: 978-1419674822
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,179,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron graduated with an A.B. in Economics from Bates College. He spent 43 years in corporate operations, marketing and business development. A management consultant by inclination, Ron has authored multiple market research reports, contracts, business plans, and operations research studies for corporate clients in 12 nations.

As an avocation, Ron has pursued the study of Cultural Economics since 1969. In 2003, he established a WEB site on economic topics and in 2004 Ron authored a report on the economic impact of oil depletion (Oil, Jihad and Destiny). He started his exploration of the spiritual in 2002. The result is "The Angels' Footpath" a deeply written novel about a 21st century prophet.
You are welcome to browse through a directory of Ron's work at www.tce.name.