The 4th American Revolution

There are so many things wrong with the world today from economic turmoil, poor education, mass poverty, etc., but we also are living at a great time in history in which we can make a difference.  Today we can ride the waves of change.  And if we are willing to surf the energy of the storm we can enjoy the power of the ever-changing ocean rather than fear it.

Luckily there are plenty of surfers already in the water.  When you see unexpected people do unexpected things, or unexpected organizations behave in new ways, or new institutions begin to blossom, you can be sure change is accelerating.  Let’s look at five areas:

Popular Culture

We see it in our popular culture.  We are not surprised when Oprah calls out for greater social justice and personal integrity.  We are amazed, though, when rock star Bono does it not only with passion but also with intelligent action.  Or when playboy actor George Clooney travels to Darfur or bad boy Brad Pitt and over-the-edge Angelina Jolie adopt orphans and choose to live part-time in Africa.  Whether you believe these are sincere expressions or publicity stunts is beside the point.  Popular culture is shifting.

Philanthropy

We see it in philanthropy.  When Bill Gates resigns from business and convinces Warren Buffet to give his fortune to solve society’s problems or when Bill Clinton‘s Foundation brings together a community of global leaders, university students, and private citizens to identify and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty alleviation, climate change, global health, and education. And when large-scale giving is built into the core business models of corporations such as Google and eBay, something is up.

Business

We see it in business.  When eco-conscious Patagonia clothing company pioneers the use of organic cotton in tee-shirts, it’s cool.  When they teach Wal-Mart how to do it, it’s jaw dropping.  When the largest for-profit company in the world transforms itself into the largest seller of organic food, fair trade coffee and organic clothing in the globe, when it converts part of its truck fleet to alternative fuel and mandates recycling, we must sit up and take note.

Countries

When countries like Denmark get much of their power from the wind, we are not impressed.  Most macho Americans think Europeans are eco-weenies.  But when big box stores like Circuit City and Target are putting solar panels on their stores and warehouses to cut their energy costs, we take notice.  New companies like SunEdison have created a brand new business by installing the solar panels for free in exchange for a 10-year contract to buy the generated electricity.  Yes, when mainstream entrepreneurs and venture capital firms begin to scale large businesses using new solutions that are better for everyone, something is happening.

Globalism

We see it in globalism.  Fifteen years ago the quality movement took off.  Standards of manufacturing quality were accelerated when international manufacturing standards were adopted.  Soon, large manufacturers and retailers were demanding parts and products built in factories that were certified.  What’s happened is a revolution in quality.  Our expectations of the things we buy, how they work and how long they should last have been dramatically raised because our worldwide manufacturing standards have.

Guess what?  In 2008, SA 8000, which are social accountability standards are being adopted in countries around the world.  They set standards for fair labor practices, overtime and child labor.  What started 10 years ago as protests against Gap and Nike for using sweatshops is now going mainstream.  Of course, there will always be cheaters and outlaws; that’s not the point.  The point is there is a rising tide of change that we can all participate in, that we can all help to accelerate.

Most of all we see it in our personal lives.  When our high school and college-age kids start volunteering more than Americans have in a century, it’s inspiring. When millions of Boomers begin seeking redemption from self-focused lives, it’s downright revolutionary.

What’s the Greatest Thing We Can Do?

Join the Revolution…Are you going to join the revolution?  Why or why not?