Mending the Flag, Healing the World


Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
588 Pages
Reviewed on 06/07/2021
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Author Biography

Born and largely raised in Canada, Andy has also lived in other parts of the world. He is a Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and a graduate of both the University of Western Ontario (MA) and Trent University (BA, Honors). Andy considers himself to be a ‘jack of all trades,’ and currently resides with his family in Whitby, Ontario. A believer in restoration, he can often be found tinkering on some old cars in the garage. As a former plumber’s assistant and history teacher, who is well-versed in enterprise-wide risk management, he also knew where to look for “what’s wrong” with the faulty structures behind the façade of ailing institutions worldwide!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Mending the Flag, Healing the World by Andy Bilik is a non-fiction political work that proposes a new paradigm to resolving the crisis in contemporary democracies, starting with Canada. In this book, the author examines what is broken in today’s political machinery and offers surprising answers to the question: Can democracy be redesigned to work for everyone? Andy Bilik proves that the systems of governments determine who we are, identifies flaws in contemporary democracies, and shows readers the way forward for an effective overhaul that creates a system of democracy that works for everyone while addressing the most complex issues facing humanity. Using Canada as an example, Bilik provides compelling arguments and invites readers and leaders into an engaging discussion.

Mending the Flag, Healing the World is well-researched and littered with historical facts as well as contemporary realities. The author offers social and political commentaries, exploring some of the major shifts in democracy and identifying key moments of crisis, including the rise of Putin to power in Russia and the Trump conundrum in the USA. While many people lose faith in our democracies, the author believes that Democratic Restructuralism can reshape our governments. What makes this work compelling and timely are the arguments presented and the model the author proposes. Andy Bilik identifies the crucial problems affecting most democracies, including ineffective and poorly designed institutions — how the filibuster stalls American democracy is an example — individuals getting into politics with the wrong motivation, and the lack of accountability.

The author writes with unusual conviction, articulating brilliantly on a variety of topics, including the rigged payroll system, the betrayal of the indigenous peoples, the place of the military and veterans, environmental issues, and many more. The book presents the three crucial problems that require keen and immediate attention. From understanding good organizational design to addressing human nature to lessons from the American forebears, Andy Bilik indicates a path to healing and to a democracy that works for all. A cleverly written book with a message that needs to be heard by everyone interested in good governance.

Karl, Germany

Excellent assessment of what prevents democracy from working and what to do about this in clear and implementable terms. Refreshing to see solutions.

Sylvie

I am troubled by the consistency of dysfunction in government, regardless of who leads it - whichever party is in power I mean. Now I get it after reading this book. Government is not organized well and there is a lack of informed decision-making in the legislature, which would generate better results for voters. On top of that we have a situation, worldwide, where corruption and lobbying drives the goals of leaders like Trump and others. The author paints a clear and stark picture with good and many references. What fascinates me is that he also lays out clear solutions to fix the big problems staring us all in the face - even the environment. So the question remains. Why doesn`t somebody do something. How about you Joe Biden? Why don't you Mend America's flag? You have the chance now.

Richard (USA)

Excellent read! A much different approach backed by credible research, than what mainstream academics and journalists are putting out there. And politicians themselves. Especially since common-sense solutions to combat autocracy are discussed at length. Timely book and worth the read.

Vadim Tselko

The general-popular media tells everyone less and less. So too is it with mainstream marketed books. But this book tells the truth, without the author taking sides, except that of the need to implement logical solutions, which he outlines at length. A long and detailed read that crushes fools on the left and the right - elected leaders too. Amazing research and pattern identification using open source material, if you have the patience to get through the first 100 pages or so.

J. Entwhistle

Looks like all the chickens came home to roost over the last few years, as predicted by this book I got as a gift. Trudeau did nothing but "cluck," and things have only declined from 2019 in democracies all over the world, who also twiddled their thumbs, instead of taking logical advice.

Kira Withenshawe

Yes, the science of association (how people organize their governments) is the mother science, the progress of all the other sciences, depends on the progress of that one! Nobody learned during the pandemic, although this author appears to have encouraged them to beforehand.

Trish Devereau

A hidden gem * - Combo of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Tocqueville - fascinating :o)