We are in the midst of a global crisis. This is not just danger: it is opportunity—a golden opportunity. It is the opportunity to build a new world.

To sit with folded hands, waiting for the crisis to take its course is to entrust our destiny to the vagaries of fortune. To go back to where we were is not advisable, and may not even be possible. But attempting to go forward makes sense: it is a realistic objective. The outcome of the crisis is not foreclosed; it is sensitive to our perceptions, values, and aspirations. If we wake up and act, the global crisis will prove to be a blessing in disguise. We have to cope with its dangers, but can and must seize the opportunity it offers. It is the opportunity to liberate ourselves from the shackles of the past and build a better world.

How We Can Build a Better World is a practical guide for building a better world. This is a realistic objective because, with the awakening catalyzed by the global crisis, we can now change the world. This manual shows how we can change it effectively, and for the better.