Purpose Over Patriotism

My submission this week pertains to America’s uncertain future as a leader of the free world. This relates to this week’s readings because America’s uncertainty as a global leader parallels the uncertain future of social innovation and enterprise.

Eric Roston’s article detailed America’s position as a “second tier” country when it comes the overall well-being of it citizenry. Particularly, the article notes that our nation received its lowest marks in the categories of “tolerance and inclusion” and “health and wellness.” The irony is striking that “the Land of the Free” would be failing to live up to its core tenets of “liberty and justice for all.” Most abhorrent is that our nation was ranked 92^nd out of 128 nations in “religious tolerance.”

I believe that the future of social innovation and enterprise can help foster a more inclusive and tolerant America. The “purpose over profits” movement that was highlighted in Marsha Hunt’s article offers promise in the form of socially conscious consumers and businesses. There are no major corporations in the United States that do not have an explicit commitment to diversity and inclusion. Undoubtedly, no major corporation could survive, legally and public relationally, without such a socially conscious commitment that may or may not benefit their bottom line. I confident that this will remain unchanged in our future.

On the other hand, our nation is facing huge internal challenges as race relations are at the worst that they have been in decades and an opioid epidemic is devastating communities all across the country. Additionally, the nation’s leadership is abandoning America’s role as a global leader for a more nationalistic doctrinal policy. These harsh realities risk curtailing the impact that social innovation and enterprise may have in the future. America needs leadership that puts purpose over patriotism (or what is being portrayed as patriotism). Even the most innovative ideas, as illustrated by the Daniel Terdiman article, can be stymied by the government, and to a larger extent, the executive branch. American leadership will be essential in pioneering this new socially conscious and impactful world. Simply put, if the world becomes a better place, then America will become a better place.

One final question: As promising as the future of social innovation and enterprise can be, will it be able to overcome the uncertainty around America’s lack of global and national leadership?