How to overcome cultural and political barriers

Ruth Wooden, president of Public Agenda, writes: "As many of you know Public Agenda's co-founder and Chairman Daniel Yankelovich is a renowned social scientist and pioneer in the field of public opinion research.  His analysis of Americans’ changing values and attitudes and his ceaseless work to engage the public in our nation’s most pressing challenges has duly earned him recognition as one of the most prominent thinkers in public policy today.

"Immediately following the elections, Dan delivered the keynote address at The Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management's annual "Drucker Day" at Claremont Graduate University, kicking off celebrations of the founder Peter F. Drucker’s centennial year. Dan's address promises to shape American politics and political theory in the years to come.  I wanted to share with you highlights from his presentation on this important new perspective – 'The New Pragmatism.'

"In his address, Dan argues that our nation's ability to effectively grapple with problems has eroded because of cultural and political barriers, such as the “the growth of self-isolating communities” and “technological hubris.”  To face these challenges, Dan presents a new tool called “The Learning Curve” to accelerate public understanding and dialogue on divisive issues like energy, education and housing."

Click here for a video of Yankelovich's address, a full transcript and PowerPoint presentation.  "I particularly recommend downloading the transcript of his address, as his narration of the PowerPoint is especially engaging and thoughtful," Wooden writes. 

"At a time of global economic meltdown and upheaval, 'The New Pragmatism' is an important contribution to the conversation on how we can transcend the many negative forces constraining our progress and move forward to build a prosperous future for our nation.  I trust you will find his presentation both worthwhile and valuable in your work."