Wicked Problems, Workable Solutions: Lessons from a Public Life - Hardcover

[A]nyone who is working to create a more democratic and engaged society [should] read Wicked Problems, Workable Solutions. Dan is a true legend, and this book reminds us why he is one of the most insightful social scientists of our time. I'm honored to serve on the board of Public Agenda, and applaud Dan's lifetime of work to improve our democracy and insure that the public's voice has been heard. * Sunlight Foundation * Daniel Yankelovich is one of the truly wise men of our time. His insights into the character of the American public are both profound and useful. Read this book and you will understand why. -- David Mathews, president and CEO, Kettering Foundation Fantastic. This is the most trenchant and incisive analysis of our country's situation that I have ever read. Yankelovich cuts to the heart of what the problems are. I hope that we are, as the author says, "brave enough and smart enough" to find the workable problems. Certainly, this book is the critical first step to understanding what those problems are and moving forward from them. -- Jeff Elman, dean, Social Sciences Division, University of California, San Diego Daniel Yankelovich is one of the great students of American life. In this personable and engaging book he not only identifies some of the central "wicked problems" of contemporary American culture, but he also calls for and begins to articulate the change in our understanding of ourselves that we must undergo in order to solve them. In short, he calls for each of us to take up a distinctively American philosophy of living, one that is fit to the demands of a free and civically engaged democratic society. There is wisdom in this book. -- Sean Kelly, chair, Department of Philosophy, Harvard University Wicked Problem, Workable Solutions reflects a lifetime of pragmatic and creative inquiry into how to help the public play its essential role in making our democracy work. Timely and wise, it shows a path forward amid the challenges of our troubled times. -- Will Friedman, president, Public Agenda Distinguished social scientist Daniel Yankelovich applies the fascinating knowledge and wisdom gained from a lifetime of public opinion research to describe the unintended consequence of policies designed to secure the well-being of all Americans. His wise and clear-sighted analysis provides each of us with a personal guide to find the path to a more productive personal and national future. -- Norton Garfinkle, chairman, The Future of American Democracy Foundation In Wicked Problems, Workable Solutions the truly legendary Daniel Yankelovich reminds us why he is one of the most insightful social scientists of our time. Part memoir and part road map, this book is must reading for anyone who thinks deeply about making a difference and leading a life of meaning. -- Chris Gates, president, Sunlight Foundation

After five decades of studying how Americans respond to public issues, Daniel Yankelovich presents a strategy to nurture the greater public wisdom necessary for modern society to confront its most wicked problems. Having been an advisor to major corporations and influential media, business and government organizations, Yankelovich is a leading public opinion expert who has had a long career studying, questioning, and reporting on national issues, trends, and opinions. Stagnant incomes, blocked social mobility, political polarization, dysfunctional educational, criminal, and health care systems and global instability plague the welfare of not only the United States, but also the entire world. By instituting a few powerful innovations we can revolutionize today's inattentive public into a thoughtful, action-oriented populous. Yankelovich shares the philosophical foundation of his successful career and revisits some of his breakthrough experiences, drawing insightful conclusions applicable to our current condition. Full of stories of how destinies can change when people abandon ingrained, unproductive thinking habits, Wicked Problems, Workable Solutions lays out a pragmatic design to reboot democracy and lead our society forward into a more promising future.