From the back cover: The world faces serious economic, environmental, and social challenges. Unfettered capitalism itself is increasingly seen as part of the problem, as Thomas Piketty, Joseph Stiglitz, and other economists demonstrate. In "Economic Direct Democracy: A Framework to End Poverty and Maximize Well-Being," John Boik proposes an innovative social framework that enables communities to strengthen local economies, and take meaningful action on infrastructure, debt, income inequality, health care, climate change, and environmental degradation. He challenges us to examine the basic purpose of an economic system, and to consider that human nature drives individuals toward deeper cooperation. Boik's proposal integrates multiple local movement, participatory democracy, and open society initiatives into a single framework that helps organize and enhance existing city, county, or regional economies. By infusing a local economy with 21st century direct democracy, the system empowers local areas to take the lead in making real change. The hopeful message is that we can increase incomes, end poverty, reach full employment, and address major social and environmental problems, in our lifetime.