Book Description

Horrific changes are descending upon humanity, most of them man-made, all of them threatening the survival of humankind on Mother Earth. Forever wars, the threat of nuclear destruction, the ecology collapsing worldwide, swelling waves of migrants, and unprecedented global inequality of wealth are upon us. The dominant, modern worldview prevailing for many centuries has produced all the above and needs swift and radical change. Central to this unfolding tragedy stands the United States, boasting its ""exceptionality."" Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America coined and defined how America was an ""exceptional"" nation. However, the America he lauded in the early 1800s and what it has become today are as different as Antarctica and Hawai'i. This book is designed to pry open the eyes and minds of people everywhere about the true nature of the US as a spiritual and political (but not militaristic) nation, one to emulate and with whom to collaborate on helping resolve the violence and myopia plaguing humankind right now. It illuminates a new way to reshape American thinking, and that of the whole world, sensibly and with sensitivity to all humanity and the planet itself. But you must read to the last word to absorb the entire vision. ""Dator's Second Law of the Futures states that 'any useful idea about the futures should appear to be ridiculous.' Every aspect of the proposal of this book--that Israel become the fifty-first State of the United States--seems preposterous in the extreme. Therefore, I sincerely recommend it to you. Like many other ridiculous ideas that turned out to be 'obvious' in the futures, this might be a big one indeed."" --Jim Dator, Futures Studies, University of Hawaii ""Authors Ted Becker and Brian Polkingham propose a provocative interest-based approach to resolving one of the most entrenched conflicts in human history--the divisive rancor in the Middle East. Identifying common core, or underlying, interests such as survival, existence, identity, boundaries, peace and security, enjoyment of life, and productivity, they synthesize positive components of American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny to fashion a pragmatic, mutually beneficial resolution for Israel, her prospectively collaborative neighbors, the USA and, consequentially, the globe."" -- C. Kevin Coonrod, Ombudsman, Auburn University Ted Becker was the first Walter Meyer Professor of Law at NYU School of Law and is Chair and Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii and Chair and Alma Holladay Professor Emeritus at Auburn University. He is the author of fifteen books. Brian Polkinghorn is a Distinguished Professor of Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and the Executive Director of the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution at Salisbury University. He is a renowned international mediator and a Fulbright Ambassador.