Table of Contents
Inciting Democracy
A Practical Proposal
for Creating a Good Society
How we can develop and sustain
a powerful, grassroots social change movement
by Randy Schutt
Summary — p. xiii
Preface — p. xv
Why I Wrote This Book
A Vision
The Structure of This Book
The Focus on the United States
A Note on Usage
Join the Dialog
Chapter 1: Background — p. 1
The Impetus for This Project
Perhaps the Times Just Aren’t Ripe For Change
Is It Even Possible?
Reasons for Hope
So What Are We Doing Wrong?
Chapter 2: Elements of A Good Society — p. 13
Basic Elements of a Good Society
Rudimentary Democratic Consent
Universal Access to Human Essentials
Access to Other Desirable Items
Freedom and Liberty
Equity and Fairness
Environmental Sustainability
Balance
Additional Characteristics of a Good Society
Humane and Compassionate
Democratic and Responsible
Tolerant and Wise
Fun
Not Paradise
A Comprehensive Mix of Four Components
Examples of a Good Society
Making Vision Possible
Chapter 3: Obstacles to Progressive Change — p. 33
Misguided Criticisms
Obstacle 1. Adverse Power Structure
Obstacle 2. Destructive Cultural Conditioning
Obstacle 3. Dysfunctional Emotional Conditioning
Obstacle 4. Widespread Ignorance
Obstacle 5. Scarcity of Progressive Resources
Overcoming these Five Obstacles
Chapter 4: Elements of an Effective Strategy for Democratic Transformation — p. 59
Some Strategies of the Past
Crucial Characteristics of Fundamental Change Efforts
A Strategy for Democratic Transformation
Mass Education and Powerful Social Change Movements
Six Essential Components of an Effective Strategy
1. Clear Conceptions of Progressive Change
2. Widespread Education
3. Widespread Emotional Therapy
4. A Supportive Community for Progressive Activists
5. Large Numbers of Activists Working Simultaneously for Progressive Change
6. Concerted Change Efforts Continuing for Many Years
Chapter 5: A Strategic Program to Create a Good Society — 75
A Strategic Program
1. Lay the Groundwork
2. Gather Support
3. Struggle for Power
4. Diffuse Change Throughout Society
Overlapping Stages
Leadership Roles for Each Stage
Tiered Structure
If Not Now, When?
Nonviolent Struggle
Chapter 6: The Vernal Education Project — p. 95
Design Criteria for the Vernal Education Program
Overview of the Vernal Education Program and Network
Details of the Vernal Education Program
A Vernal Student’s Time
A Possible Vernal Curriculum
Vernal Staffmembers
Vernal Students
The Vernal Education Network
The Growth of the Vernal Education Network
Vernal Project Finances
Meeting the Design Criteria
Other Educational Programs
Chapter 7: Building a Powerful, Democratic Social Change Movement — p. 129
About Vernal Graduates
The Total Number of Very Active and Less Active Graduates
The Influence of Vernal Activists
Vernal Activists’ Focus of Activity
The Distribution and Tasks of Vernal Activists
Creating Cooperative Activist Communities
The Overall Contribution of Vernal Activists
Chapter 8: Melissa’s Story: A Tale Illustrating Some Aspects of the Vernal Education Project — p. 155
A Bad Meeting Gets Better
An Emotional Snag
Melissa’s Revelation
A Beautiful Vision
Things Go Better With Good Support
Powerfully Challenging Oppression
Building a Broad Alliance
Chapter 9: Transforming Society — p. 163
The Dynamics of Societal Change
Diffusion of Innovations
The Dynamics of Conflictive Societal Change
Transformation Scenarios
Lay the Groundwork: Vernal Project Phases 1 and 2
Gather Support: first half of Vernal Project Phase 3
Struggle for Power: second half of Vernal Project Phase 3
Diffuse Change throughout Society (after the Vernal Project had ended)
A Possible Scenario for Fundamental Change
A Typical Failing Scenario
Hope
Another Major Obstacle: Hopelessness
The Hope Factor
Chapter 10: Implementing the Vernal Project — p. 181
Five Phases
Development Phase D1: Conceptualize, Plan, and Generate Interest
Development Phase D2: Develop and Test the Curriculum
Phase 1: Launch the First Vernal Center and Prepare for Expansion
Phase 2: Replicate the Vernal Center across the United States
Phase 3: Maintain at a Stable Level, Then Evaluate and End
A Note on Speed
Next Steps: Launching the Vernal Project
Chapter 11: Some Objections and Concerns — p. 193
Summary
Questions and Concerns
Is It Possible to Create a Good Society?
Is Democracy Possible and Desirable?
Are the Five Obstacles Enumerated the Real Obstacles to Positive Change?
Is This the Right Strategy for Change?
Would the Vernal Project Distort Progressive Change Movements?
Will This Strategy Take Too Long?
What About . . .?
Still . . .
Chapter 12: Resources — p. 211
Books and Articles
Book Publishers
Magazines
Radio Programs
Web Sites
Appendix A: Some Positive Near-Term Policy Changes — p. 239
Steps Toward a Good Society
Appendix B: Additional Figures (Associated with Chapter 6) — p. 247
Vernal Workshops
Vernal Program Time Allocation
Vernal Staffmember Time Allocation
Vernal Program Tuition
Vernal Regions and Centers
Vernal Center Replication
Number of Vernal Staffmembers
Appendix C: Even More Figures (Associated with Chapters 7 and 9) — p. 269
The Number of Vernal Graduates
Amount of Effort Directed toward Fundamental Progressive Change
Monetary Contributions of Additional Progressive Advocates
How Population Turnover Can Accelerate Change
Index — p. 287
From: IcD-Fr-8.08W 5-5-01