Books we're reading this month

Active Faith: How Christians are changing the soul of American politics by Ralph Reed, The Free Press, 1996

As early as 1996, the jacket around Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed's book said it “is required reading for all who hope to understand what Christian conservatives want and how far they are willing to go to secure it.” Last issue, we drew attention to Thomas Frank's What's the Matter With Kansas: How Conservatives won the heart of America , published 8 years after Reed's book. It is the same book, only one is looking ahead with a high-pitched tone, and the other is looking back with a much lower tone.

In his book, Reed recounts how he was disappointed that Dan (Potatoe) Quayle dropped out of the race to be the Republican presidential candidate in 1996.

He felt Quayle, a “staunchly pro-family conservative,” represented the Republican's best chance against the incumbent Democrat Clinton—and that he had a good chance at winning too. That's because, as Reed relates in this book, he headed up an organization he believed could put whom it pleased in the White House, just as soon as he could find someone who pleased him. He did—it was Bush.

Reed claims all political change in American history was inspired by Christianity. His greatest hero is Martin Luther King. Who knew the origins of the hair-raising right-wing prairie fire that swept across Red America November 2 nd has its roots in the Civil Rights movement? This book is strangely comforting: one is relieved to learn that at least the descent of America is controlled.

-Kevin Potvin <kpotvin@republic-news.org>

World Out of Balance: Navigating global risks to seize competitive advantage by Paul A Laudicina, McGraw Hill, 2005

Overlook the shrill marketing department title and check out who puts their name on this one. Endorsements for this business book are offered by the Chair, president and CEO of Delphi Corporation, John Gray from the London School of Economics, and the CEO of United Press International (as well as the Chief Executive of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives). As such, this book is a pronouncement from a high priest in the church of big business.

What does it say? “Corporations must be prepared to engage in combat with activists and develop savvy media strategies that defend their reputations.” That's because “the same technology that destroys geographic boundaries . . . also empowers activists.” Growing regulation and activism is cited by Laudicina as one of the “five drivers” that will shape the future global business environment.

This book is a how-to manual for global CEOs who will be confronting activists in their future manufacturing and marketing endeavors. Know thy enemy. Read this book.

-Kevin Potvin <kpotvin@republic-news.org>