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Future Positive:
International cooperation in the 21st century
Published by Earthscan Publications. ISBN: 1844071022

In an increasingly interdependent world, no one has a future unless we learn to work together. We are co-creators of the world we live in, and must take responsibility for doing what we can to make it worthy of ourselves and a fitting legacy for generations still to come. At a time when values of cooperation and community seem ever more at risk, Future Positive provides a refreshing and optimistic assessment of the prospects for a new international order – a direct counter blast to the doom-mongering views of writers and politicians whose voices dominate the debate. For those in search of politics and economics that are more humane and less destructive, this book will be both an inspiration and an essential, practical resource. Covering an enormous amount of ground in clear, lively and non-technical language, the book explains how the international system operates, the pressures it faces, and the changes it must undergo, and offers concrete new ideas to re-frame international relations, foreign aid, and humanitarian intervention. Future Positive tackles the big questions of globalization and the national interest head on, without jargon and with no simplistic judgements. This groundbreaking book is a must-read for anyone concerned with where the world is heading.

Contents
Preface • The Co-operative Imperative • 1945 and All That • How do Countries Grow? • It’s Not Size that Matters • Matters of Life and Death • Sticks, Carrots and Room to Manoeuvre • A New Formula for Foreign Aid • Humanising Capitalism • The Future of Global Governance • Building Constituencies for Change • Institutional Reform and Personal Revolution • How Can I Help?

Reviews
"At last, a hard-headed but soft-hearted vision of global co-operation - respecting our differences, avoiding top-down 'solutions', expanding the number of voices at the table, yet moving forward together on clear goals. This is an optimistic book at a time when the global pessimists rule the intellectual roost"(Robert B. Reich, University Professor of Social and Economic Policy, Brandeis University, and ex-U.S. Secretary of Labor).

"Michael Edwards has a passion for finding practical ways to make the world a better place. He deserves to be widely read." (Tim Garden, Times Higher Education Supplement)

'Involved, sincere, accessible, sometimes humorous and unorthodox, but above all compassionate. This is a product of experience as well as intellectual wisdom' (Edward Newman, Progress in Development Studies)

"Future Positive is a potent blend of vision and pragmatism. Michael Edwards challenges all of us - NGOs, governments, corporations and consumers - to move beyond our conventional ways of thinking and join together to create a just and responsible international system" (Peter Bell, President of CARE and Co-Chair of the Inter-American Dialogue).

"Michael Edwards' refreshingly optimistic and readable book calls for widespread reform of an international system which interferes too much in the detail of other people's lives and not enough when it really matters. His approach is wholehearted and convincing. Edwards combines his breadth of vision with a realistic focus on building constituencies for change" (Natasha Franklin, Foreign Policy Review).

"In addition to making the links between the normative and the analytical, theory and practice, international relations and world development, self interest and social conscience, this book offers concrete proposals for change in a globalising world and contributes to the much-needed repoliticisation of the discipline of development studies" (Helen Yanacopulos, Millennium).

"Future Positive is a work that is wise and discerning, rounded and mature, critical but non judgemental. It is also well-written, with practical down-to-earth guidance on how to get from A to B. This is an author whose message deserves to be heard" (Oxfam).

"Future Positive grapples with a central dilemma of our times: the growing mismatch between a globalizing economy and national political decisions, arguing persuasively for new forms of global governance that are as flexible and decentralized as the new economy itself" (Will Marshall, President, Progressive Policy Institute).

"What a joy! Each chapter is interesting, observant and sometimes violent in its opinions. I urge you to read this book because you will need to take a position yourself, whether you are donor or recipient, from the rich or poor world" (Michael Brophy, Alliance Magazine).

"This comprehensive and profound work presents a new perspective on how to deal with the emerging problems and challenges for the global community. Michael Edwards' optimistic vision for the future gives inspiration as well as alternative means of resolving humanitarian crises, inequality, poverty and violence" (Connections Magazine).

"This book belongs to a small minority of analyses of world politics that are inspired yet modest, deep yet readable. Edwards’ rich combination of personal resources generates powerful insights and compelling prescriptions. However, Edwards does not preach down; he shares his ideas in ways that leave the reader feeling enabled and enthusiastic" (Jan Art Scholte, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research).

"Future Positive succeeds in being both blunt and gentle. It is packed with data and case histories that make the analysis impossible to dismiss. It levies stern indictments but does so with a compassion that does not dehumanize. And it appeals to the best in us in ways that are compelling. Thank you for the gift of this book's gentle but unmitigated candor" (Edgar Cahn, Founder, Time Dollar Institute).

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