Posted on Jan 25, 2024
Empowering the Small and the Local To Renew our Strength Globally
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When I reflect on my concerns about our country’s future, I do not exclusively think about our global adversaries and threats. Those are certainly top of mind. But in those quiet, reflective moments, my mind wanders towards not only what is happening overseas but also what is happening right here at home.
Indeed, we live in challenging times. Times that are not necessarily dissimilar to the challenges we have faced in the past as a country. But I see a particular dimension that is deeply concerning.
Our increasing lack of faith in our country itself.
Today, many no longer believe in the system. They believe the system is broken – at best – and rigged – at worst – against them.
What defines our era is this pervasive skepticism in the system itself.
This compels us to not only repair the system but also re-build faith in it.
Such a moment calls on us to find ways to make the system to work for all. This starts with growing the social space in our country for each of us to be heard, contribute, and engage in the system.
But, unfortunately, too many believe there is not enough space for all, leading to a belief that our system must be zero-sum in nature.
I disagree.
We are at an inflection point for our country. Do we believe we all have a role in our country or not; we have a place in our country or not; we can solve our problems together or not?
This pressing question transcends philosophical contemplation. It demands a pragmatic exploration of what is happening and how we can breathe life back into the belief that the system can benefit all.
I choose to believe that all of us have a place, a role, and an obligation to solve the great challenges we face as a country – no matter our walk of life. The question is: how we can achieve this?
The central nature of our trust deficit stems from no longer meaningfully interacting with one- another in our communities and across our country. The mode of life in our country has become one of silos and separation. Therefore, not only must we revitalize trust between the citizenry and its institutions but also fundamentally reshape how we collaborate to solve our great challenges.
Indeed, achieving trust is necessary but insufficient. We must transform the way in which we work together to solve our common problems. A seismic shift is not merely desirable; it is an imperative.
Initiatives such as Hacking for Defense in which the government, universities, and the private sector work together to solve critical, real-world problems epitomize such a revolutionary approach to collaboration across society. Entities like the NobleReach Foundation emerge as a unique catalyst to scale these
evolutionary collaboration efforts across our country.
A comprehensive, scaled reshaping of the collaborative landscape is essential to transcending the barriers that currently confine us to our respective domains, silos, and narratives.
But in addition to these new approaches, we must establish a new lens through which to apply these revolutionary initiatives.
In our country, we almost exclusively focus on and value “the big,” “the macro,” and “the global.” I describe this as a “macro-opic” perspective. Through such a perspective, we not only forget about “the small,” “the micro,” and “the local” – we de-value it.
How can we rebuild our culture in the United States to value the small, not just the big; the micro, not just the macro; and the local, not just the global? This is essential for the viability of our country.
If we revitalize “the small” through small business, “the micro” through building micro- economies, and “the local” through renewing our small towns and communities; we will be not only become stronger at home but also abroad.
The unparalleled strength of the United States does not reside solely in its grandiosity but in its “micro osity.”
The strength of “the small” and “the local” is not an abstract concept. It is intricately interwoven into the viability of our system. Effectively harnessing this strength mandates a revival of trust, a transformation of collaboration, and a renewed appreciation for the profound significance of “the small,” “the micro,” and “the local.”
The imperative for a revitalization of small businesses and local communities extends beyond economic considerations; it signifies a fundamental reclamation of our national identity.
These – the small, the micro, and the local – are the unique, core strengths of our country.
And they will ensure we remain a global leader.
Alex Gallo is the author of “Vetspective,” a RallyPoint series that discusses national security, foreign policy, politics, and society. He is a fellow with George Mason University’s National Security Institute. Alex is also an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and a US Army Veteran. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexGalloUSA.
Indeed, we live in challenging times. Times that are not necessarily dissimilar to the challenges we have faced in the past as a country. But I see a particular dimension that is deeply concerning.
Our increasing lack of faith in our country itself.
Today, many no longer believe in the system. They believe the system is broken – at best – and rigged – at worst – against them.
What defines our era is this pervasive skepticism in the system itself.
This compels us to not only repair the system but also re-build faith in it.
Such a moment calls on us to find ways to make the system to work for all. This starts with growing the social space in our country for each of us to be heard, contribute, and engage in the system.
But, unfortunately, too many believe there is not enough space for all, leading to a belief that our system must be zero-sum in nature.
I disagree.
We are at an inflection point for our country. Do we believe we all have a role in our country or not; we have a place in our country or not; we can solve our problems together or not?
This pressing question transcends philosophical contemplation. It demands a pragmatic exploration of what is happening and how we can breathe life back into the belief that the system can benefit all.
I choose to believe that all of us have a place, a role, and an obligation to solve the great challenges we face as a country – no matter our walk of life. The question is: how we can achieve this?
The central nature of our trust deficit stems from no longer meaningfully interacting with one- another in our communities and across our country. The mode of life in our country has become one of silos and separation. Therefore, not only must we revitalize trust between the citizenry and its institutions but also fundamentally reshape how we collaborate to solve our great challenges.
Indeed, achieving trust is necessary but insufficient. We must transform the way in which we work together to solve our common problems. A seismic shift is not merely desirable; it is an imperative.
Initiatives such as Hacking for Defense in which the government, universities, and the private sector work together to solve critical, real-world problems epitomize such a revolutionary approach to collaboration across society. Entities like the NobleReach Foundation emerge as a unique catalyst to scale these
evolutionary collaboration efforts across our country.
A comprehensive, scaled reshaping of the collaborative landscape is essential to transcending the barriers that currently confine us to our respective domains, silos, and narratives.
But in addition to these new approaches, we must establish a new lens through which to apply these revolutionary initiatives.
In our country, we almost exclusively focus on and value “the big,” “the macro,” and “the global.” I describe this as a “macro-opic” perspective. Through such a perspective, we not only forget about “the small,” “the micro,” and “the local” – we de-value it.
How can we rebuild our culture in the United States to value the small, not just the big; the micro, not just the macro; and the local, not just the global? This is essential for the viability of our country.
If we revitalize “the small” through small business, “the micro” through building micro- economies, and “the local” through renewing our small towns and communities; we will be not only become stronger at home but also abroad.
The unparalleled strength of the United States does not reside solely in its grandiosity but in its “micro osity.”
The strength of “the small” and “the local” is not an abstract concept. It is intricately interwoven into the viability of our system. Effectively harnessing this strength mandates a revival of trust, a transformation of collaboration, and a renewed appreciation for the profound significance of “the small,” “the micro,” and “the local.”
The imperative for a revitalization of small businesses and local communities extends beyond economic considerations; it signifies a fundamental reclamation of our national identity.
These – the small, the micro, and the local – are the unique, core strengths of our country.
And they will ensure we remain a global leader.
Alex Gallo is the author of “Vetspective,” a RallyPoint series that discusses national security, foreign policy, politics, and society. He is a fellow with George Mason University’s National Security Institute. Alex is also an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and a US Army Veteran. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexGalloUSA.
National Security
Culture
Political Organization
Edited 11 mo ago
Posted 11 mo ago
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Very well said. I always try to support local small businesses but that has become difficult to do.
Also, I believe we have become so bitter towards the "opposition" that healing may already be impossible. It seems we would rather fight with each other than work towards what is best for the nation. Since we refuse to compromise, we cannot even determine what "best" is.
However, I am a life-long optimist and will go to my grave sure that we as a nation can and will survive, as hard as that struggle will be.
A good quote
Endeavor to persevere
Also, I believe we have become so bitter towards the "opposition" that healing may already be impossible. It seems we would rather fight with each other than work towards what is best for the nation. Since we refuse to compromise, we cannot even determine what "best" is.
However, I am a life-long optimist and will go to my grave sure that we as a nation can and will survive, as hard as that struggle will be.
A good quote
Endeavor to persevere
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While I agree with the concept, none of this works without some level of patriotism. We cannot have a society that does not support the laws and traditions of our country. The constitution has become a tool that people choose to, or not to abide. So with the same premise, at the grass roots legal authorities change laws to meet the actions of groups who not only defy local laws but federal as well. We allow thieves, robbers and other menaces to remain on the street to continue these attacks on grass routes businesses in America.
Our country is still the beacon on the hill to the world, but we choose at the macro to allow unlawful entry by rewarding with money, housing and medical while our citizens by birth right and those who entered legally are sleeping on the streets with no outlet or support.
I was leaving D.C. with my wife on Thursday this past week after donating an SUV full of winter clothing, jackets, winter coats, fresh toiletries and I saw an older woman laying on the ground with a thin blanket and equally thin coat. Unfortunately I had nothing to give her and as I was moving I could not stop and tried to reroute in traffic to find her, I was sadly unable. I did inform the authorities in hopes they could find her. Meanwhile every major city in America houses unlawful/illegals to be placed directly from the open border to housing.
So without trying to tear down this analysis of our society and its ability to continue to be the beacon, we are more of an old inoperative lighthouse sitting on a rock looking out over our borders and saying keep on coming.
Last point, I challenge all of you to truly study why France gave us Lady Liberty. She was given to a country who had secured their sovereignty over England. What we added and how we look at it has some added value, give me your tired, your poor etc. again at the very most allowed for a legal entry process. It was by no means perfect, but it has evolved to an uncontrollable monster at the macro because of the actions of the micro.
Our politicians need to look at their constituents and realize what they are doing at all levels and components of our society, we need to take care of everyone we have within our borders, they are all human beings.
We are not that shining beacon. Sorry for the rant.
Our country is still the beacon on the hill to the world, but we choose at the macro to allow unlawful entry by rewarding with money, housing and medical while our citizens by birth right and those who entered legally are sleeping on the streets with no outlet or support.
I was leaving D.C. with my wife on Thursday this past week after donating an SUV full of winter clothing, jackets, winter coats, fresh toiletries and I saw an older woman laying on the ground with a thin blanket and equally thin coat. Unfortunately I had nothing to give her and as I was moving I could not stop and tried to reroute in traffic to find her, I was sadly unable. I did inform the authorities in hopes they could find her. Meanwhile every major city in America houses unlawful/illegals to be placed directly from the open border to housing.
So without trying to tear down this analysis of our society and its ability to continue to be the beacon, we are more of an old inoperative lighthouse sitting on a rock looking out over our borders and saying keep on coming.
Last point, I challenge all of you to truly study why France gave us Lady Liberty. She was given to a country who had secured their sovereignty over England. What we added and how we look at it has some added value, give me your tired, your poor etc. again at the very most allowed for a legal entry process. It was by no means perfect, but it has evolved to an uncontrollable monster at the macro because of the actions of the micro.
Our politicians need to look at their constituents and realize what they are doing at all levels and components of our society, we need to take care of everyone we have within our borders, they are all human beings.
We are not that shining beacon. Sorry for the rant.
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