Meeting this urgent need, Global Sense by Judah Freed updates Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Advocating practical idealism born in global thinking, Freed applies Paine's reasoning to the crisis facing us today.

With wit and compassion, international journalist Freed explains how a sense of our global interactivity, our unity in community, empowers us to change the world by changing ourselves. World peace begins with inner peace. Democracy is a personal growth issue. If we are willing to accept responsibility for our freedom, he says, we truly can stop environmental destruction, renew democracy and create peace on earth.

Global Sense follows the four-part structure and logic of Common Sense. Here's an overview:

I. Where Common Sense examined the nature of civil government, Global Sense examines the nature of mindful self rule and personal democracy. Where Common Sense exposed absurdities and perils in 18th century English democracy, Global Sense exposes absurdities and perils in 21st century American democracy.

II. Where Common Sense refuted the divine rights of kings and hereditary succession, Global Sense refutes alpha male rule and the destructive habits of generational authority addiction.

III. Where Common Sense argued against colonists submitting to a king on a distant island, Global Sense argues against submitting to authority addiction in the world and within ourselves.

IV. Where Common Sense offered rational hope of w...