Empowering the Small and the Local To Renew our Strength Globally

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.