Redesigning Society

By Russell L. Ackoff and Sheldon Rovin

Book Overview

Health care, education, welfare, law the perceived success or failure of these social institutions is constantly being debated in the public arena. In this book, Ackoff and Rovin join the discussion, using systems theory to develop new approaches to governance, the structure and function of our cities, and civic leadership in general. Each chapter tackles a different, important, and timely issue. The authors develop and present specific solutions, with the intention of starting a national dialogue about the structure and organization of American society. Their redesign, radical in its scope and ambition, draws upon existing technology and social constructs, but provides innovative ways to apply them. As the authors contend, it is only through creative thought and innovation that our society will be transformed into one that provides a more equitable distribution of wealth, quality of life, and opportunities for development. "

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804747946
• ISBN13: 9780804747943
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Stanford Business Books
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Be aware of your expectations before reading a book

Reading this book was both terribly interesting and terribly frustrating. Ackoff proposes many changes to many aspects of society, and has well argued reasons for making them. What Ackoff doesn't do is propose methods for implementing these changes without starting a handful of civil wars. And make no mistake, when you start suggesting *required* integration of neighborhoods (along various axes; racial, economic, etc.), you had better believe that there are a number of people who will not willingly and peacably accept such a change. I certainly agree we could all benefit from such integration, but I can't fathom how we could require such a thing and get there without bloodshed. Other suggestions also sound completely sane, but are made without accounting for the fact that existing power-blocs and wealthy/powerful individuals will never accept a reduction in their power without a struggle. In Ackoff's defense, I believe he intended this book not as an instruction manual, but as a broad outline or design; I believe he would argue that proposing specific solutions isn't as important as encouraging thinking systemically. If enough people would perceive society as a system, then implementing changes to society would become feasible. Interesting, yes, but more as an idea-generator than as a handbook or toolbox; which is, I suspect, as Ackoff intended.

Redesigning Society

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.