Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism

This book is truly revolutionary in that it tries to create a new form of capitalism that addresses the human desire to help others as well as that to make money.

I became familiar with Social Enterprise when I did a Google search "how to change the world" on Friday evening 7.13.07. I am a thoroughly enthusiastic person, but I don't know that I have ever been so electrified as I was when I made the incredible discovery that all the ideas I had had for years, and all the energies I was investing to make a difference, had a home in Social Enterprise, and I had found that I am a Social Entrepreneur! I KNEW I wasn't just idealistic or crazy, but that I was on to some very powerful ideas, and finding the world of Social Enterprise has been extremely validating and invigorating for me. Following a discussion on the future of capitalism with some good friends of mine in Austin, the next morning I was in Whole Foods and came across this book with the subtitle: Social Business & The Future of Capitalism. Of course I was more than familiar with Yunus, and was aware of this book even, but hadn't yet picked it up. As a follow up to my discussion with Matthew & Ruthie, I decided to buy the book. WOW. I don't know what trends of thinking you have in the channels of your mind, but I have been affirmed over and over and thrilled to see and know, as Yunus continues to un-pack for me, and to put in to very grasp-able wording, what I myself see for the future! It's kinda fun to know that my thinking is so parallel to a Nobel Peace Prize winner.....anyway, for me, this has been a GEM of a book. I highly recommend it to you as well. If you are traveling down this way of Social Enterprise, as far as I am concerned, we should be reading and learning all that we can so that we can best help others. Even if we are "only" encouraged in what we already know- isn't that empowering???? But I think you just can't help but pick up something- and I think this would also be a great book to introduce someone to this way of thinking. I have more than several friends that I want to share this book with - perhaps Matthew & Ruthie for starters!

I've just finished reading the book from Muhammad Yunus - the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and I cannot give it less than 5 stars. It is an inspiring book that can touch your heart and motivate you to fight against poverty. At the same time, it did not quite match my expectations in terms of content, so I'd like to make clear in this review what you should and should not expect from this great book.

First of all, Muhammad Yunus presents his vision of the social business. It is a powerful idea based on challenging the assumption of one-dimensional human beings that aim at maximizing profit. This concept lies at the core of established economic theories, and supports the current notion of the business that should maximize value for its shareholders. The social business is totally dedicated to solving social or environmental problems. It is different from charities or NGO's as it does not generate losses, and it's different from profit-maximizing businesses as it does not pay dividend.

Furthermore, the author gives an account of real social businesses that he has created. It starts with Grameen Bank, the microcredit organization providing banking services to the poor people from Bangladesh, including beggars. Grameen Bank is a huge success story, and its model has been reapplied in numerous countries. Another example is Grameen-Danone yoghurt factory that aims at improving the diet of poor Bangladeshi children. It's been recently opened as a joint venture between the Danone corporation and Grameen Bank, and it follows the social business model as described by Yunus.

Finally, the reader is confronted with a vision of the world where poverty can only be seen in museums. I would compare this part of the book to a manifesto that describes the building blocks of a new world where social business can flourish, the environmental problems are resolved by mutual consensus between nations, and the information and communication technologies help the developing nations to participate in and benefit from the globalized market.

It is important to note what you should not expect from this book. It definitely isn't an instruction, or a how-to guide for creating a social business. It isn't a science book either - instead of presenting sound models and theories, the author focuses on his vision and experience, and the book is an account of real-life stories and examples.

The value of Creating a World Without Poverty lies in the inspiration it provides, in fascinating real-life examples of the author's journey to eliminate poverty in his country. It may sometimes sound like a science-fiction vision, but the example of Grameen Bank shows that nothing described in this book is impossible. It's a must-read.

The cover is the same you see in the picture. However it's removable paper cover, meaning it's not the original book. Someone got the original book, made thousands of cookies in a blue cover book, and added this beautiful removable paper cover to it.

The bootom line is I bought thinking it was the original book, but it wasn't. However, the text is the same, so I'm going to enjoy it anyway!

Yunus has written a frank and straightforward description of a vision of a different and better world. The best part is that his theory has experience and people to back it up--not just dreams. It challenges the American views of community and commerce but I found that to be a source of hope in our crumbling economy. I believe it's best read if you are interested and invested in seeing society grow up.