In this illuminating book, Professor Stephen Barber redefines the Fourth Industrial Revolution for our politics, our societies and those who seek to lead. The book argues that this is a rare opportunity to reappraise how we organise our economy, how we make decisions and how our leaders behave. Reclaiming the Revolution demonstrates that the most important determinant of what comes next is not so much digital change as human values and uniquely human skills. But it warns that our politics and our leadership are far from ready for the task ahead.
Stephen’s work examines the leading role society and humanity must take in this revolution, as he explains: 'We are on the brink of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a digital transformation which will change our jobs, work, businesses, society, economy, politics. And yet, despite how momentous this revolution promises to be, we are all but unprepared, content, it seems, to allow it to happen to us rather than be controlled by us. Most other books have tended to focus on the amazing technology and what it will be capable of doing in the future. Reclaiming the Revolution argues that humanity must not be overlooked, and that human values and human leadership are urgently required to shape the changes ahead. The revolution must be reclaimed.'
Told through a series of extraordinary stories, the book argues that only by understanding the past and present can we truly comprehend what is about to happen. But Stephen warns that 'our politics, currently polarised and fighting the battles of yesterday, and our leadership, too often in command control mode, is ill-equipped for the challenges ahead.'
Stephen Barber is Professor of Global Affairs at Regent’s University London. A regular contributor to television and radio, he has published widely on political economy, strategy and leadership.
You can purchase Reclaiming the Revolution on Amazon.