The first third of The Future of Success struck me as familiar territory, and I almost abandoned the book. That new technology is changing how work is organized and rewarded has been exhaustingly covered elsewhere. I am glad I stuck with it -- this section does lay the groundwork for the new and powerful arguments that Reich makes later.
I found Reich's Personal Choice chapter the most entertaining-- his skewering of time management self-help books is particularly effective. His ridicule of the simplicity movement is amusing, but less compelling - I don't think it is necessary to go so far as trapping small animals for one to make useful choices that simplify one's life.
I believe the time is not yet right for Reich's social policy suggestions to receive wide reception. Popular opinion today is still intoxicated by recent new economy success stories, and worships self-reliance. Hopefully enough people will take the time to read the whole book, and I think we will see these ideas gain influence as political and economic conditions evolve over the coming years.
This book is totally relevant and should be required reading for everyone in a position of power. Even if Dubya rarely reads a book, he should read this one! Forget that Reich is a Democrat. He doesn't bang his drum until near the end -- and by then you're tempted to agree. Just ask Sen. Jeffords.
Dateline 2000: the Seattle riots. The Presidency & Senate split down the middle. Dateline 2001: race riots in Cincinnati, Ohio and Oldham, England. The haves vs. the have nots. It will get worse. And to think we're all responsible for the mess -- and the solution.
If the Unabomber had been as lucid as Reich, we'd have listened. He wouldn't have needed the bombs to get his point across.
Do us all a favor. Read this book! And tell your representatives to.
I like the mixture of personal and global in his thinking. He comes at problems from many different angles. He shows how global forces penetrate everything and the impact on himself.
Unfortunately, like many analytical thinkers, Reich has no real solutions, but he has redefined the problems of a work-driven society on an individual and a global level. It is a starting point to help society move on.