Building a Win-Win World

In place of what she calls today's global economic warfare, based on cutthroat capitalism, expansionist nationalism, planned obsolescence and overconsumption, economist and futurist Henderson envisages a world focused on sustainable development through decentralized enterprise, energy efficiency, recycling, environmental cleanup and cooperative ventures in managing the planet's resources. She shows that grassroots citizen movements-Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Women's World Banking, consumer co-ops, barter networks, indigenous people's organizations, etc.-are emerging as a new force in world affairs and challenging nation-states and corporate hegemony. Henderson, a syndicated columnist, argues that the United Nations should be restructured to play a key role as global networker and broker of economic partnerships with grassroots groups. Furthermore, she urges, UN member-states in arrears should have their voting rights suspended. She also proposes policies to counter growing worldwide joblessness and suggests replacing Gross National Product with new indicators that measure literacy rates, poverty gap, energy use and quality of life. A thoughtful handbook for planetary citizens and policy-makers, 15,000 first printing; $40,000 ad/promo. (June)