The Leaderless Revolution by Carne Ross

The Leaderless Revolution by ex-diplomat Carne Ross has become a very popular book in recent months fuelled by the increasing discontent with the traditional political class. I am not sorry I chose to read this book at all, although I don't think this book will become a seminal work on the subject, it is certainly an interesting read, well written, with relevant and well documented case samples to back his arguments.
The key points of the book are:

1. One must take responsibility for one's acts. State has taken away that from us for its own controlling purposes with disasstrous consequences for the state and us. 2. Politics has become too professionalised and therefore dissociated from the people and their social needs. 3. Globalisation has changed the world and old political assumptions applied to international relations are no longer applicable. It is important that old assumptions are revised.

The most interesting point of the book in my opinion and one which I totally share is that indivuals have to act, have to take advantage of all the good things that globalisation has to offer to get to know other people. Meeting then face to face is the best way of ending wars, and anti-social behaviour. Once we know the others, we realise how our lives are linked to each others, and we are very much like each other. As Shakespeare said:
"Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die?"
Doesn't this quote apply to all of us refgardless of the faith, or lack of? Then, why do we forget that the other is just someone like us? Perhaps the hard work our political leaders have put into convincing us of this has really paid off.
Out of this book I have learned than I am still an indivual and that my opinion counts, but that it is my responsibility to make it count. I have to make my leaders accountable for the power I vest on them with my vote, I have to look at my own behaviour towards others and the environment and follow the moral laws I was brought up, to be conscious of doing it and to be proud of my individual achievements.
Please read this book. And hopefully, you will also become more aware of your own shortcomings so that you will also work towards overcoming them.