From the Ground Up

The old regime of global liberalism is fading, but what can replace it? Some, in both parties, China, Russia and Europe look to a new centralized world order. This book proposes an alternative, a shift to more localized control, devolution not centralization. This new localism offers an antidote to some of the worst aspects of globalism --- sameness, deindustrialization, and ever-growing class divides --- while eschewing the authoritarian tendencies often associated with nationalistic fervor. It essentially seeks to replace, where possible, mass institutions and production with locally sourced, entrepreneurial competitors. It is both social democratic and, by its shifting from dependence of supply chains, fundamentally sustainable. The key to localism lies in the growth of community and family, where pragmatic solutions tend to outweigh ideology. Top-down initiatives have failed repeatedly to reverse, or even slow, many of the big issues facing our society like  sagging marriage rates, declining schools, empty churches, low birthrates, and crumbling community spirit. These can best by addressed at the familial, community and local government level.