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A New America

An awakened future on our horizon

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A New America: An awakened future on our horizon is really about all of humanity. It offers new research and new insight into U.S. society, the most diverse country in the world This material demonstrates practical pathways in our personal and social psyche directly leading to a better way of living for all human beings.

 

It is a story based on a remarkable national research study conducted at the turn of the millennium. It is also a story based on many years’ experience with philanthropy, business, technologies, social/political activism, and spiritual awakening.



This book explains new strategies that can bridge our individual and collective “uniquenesses” so often mistaken as irreconcilable differences. In so doing, the tremendous spirit and energy of an awakening population can be harnessed for the good of all. Through this, we can create new social processes, structures, and institutions whose purpose is to help further our evolution as human beings in a positive way.



A New America is written for anyone who cares and wants to make a positive difference — as well as for those people who are in positions of leadership and greater influence to make immediate use of this material. The purpose in conducting formal research of this scope was to determine the extent to which we could identify and articulate a greater unity within diversity throughout society.

An important contribution of the "In Our Own Words" (IOOW) 2000 Research Program is the creation of a new typology of attitudes, values, and behaviors that offers a context in which individuals and society can better understand themselves. The IOOW typologic system identifies eight groups of people within the U.S. population over 18 years of age. These types are illustrated in the graph above:



Below are very brief synopses of the eight types. Please preview the online Executive Summary, which contains more information about the eight IOOWtypes, as well as about applications of the IOOW typology.



  • Embracing Traditional Values (ETV): fairly conservative; materially successful; believe in church and family; do not believe in global awakening; skeptical of technology; generally healthy. 75% married; 57% male; 12.1% of U.S. households.

  • Cautious and Conservative (CC): believe strongly in God and fundamental religious values; feel somewhat distanced from others; less tolerant of different spiritual outlooks; conservative social and political values; less trusting; has some belief in a global awakening; believe there is only one correct way to live. 47% married; 55% male; 10.0% of U.S. households.

  • Disengaged from Social Concerns (DSC): politically moderate and socially reserved; somewhat negative general outlook; disinterested in volunteering; highest level of Internet access; higher incidence of depression and non-family violence; do not believe in a global awakening; less spiritually inclined and not likely to participate in personal growth activities. 62% married; 59% male; 14.2% of U.S. households.

  • Persisting through Adversity (PA): strong positive outlook; look within themselves for spiritual direction; has experienced the most family trauma; value personal growth and creativity; has some belief in a global awakening; tolerant and interested in volunteering; most likely to try alternative health care; largest number of children per household. 60% married; 56% female; 9.4% of U.S. households.

  • Connecting through Self-Exploration (CSE): believe in connection to earth, people, and all life; extremely interested in personal growth activities; moderate belief in a global awakening; tends to be altruistic; least likely to suffer health problems; lowest number of children per household. 53% married; 63% female; 11.9% of U.S. households.

  • Seeking Community Transformation (SCT): exercise their spirituality in traditional ways and also look within themselves for spiritual direction; strongly values connection with others and unity with all life; most likely to give to charity; strongly believe in a global awakening; optimistic and compassionate. 57% married; 75% female; 11.6% of U.S. households.

  • Working for a New Life of Wholeness (WNL): works hard to establish a strong material foundation; tend to rely on traditional forms of expressing spirituality; feel somewhat isolated from others; embraces a global perspective as well as traditional values; strongly believes in a global awakening. 43% married; 52% female; 16.4% of U.S. households.

  • Centered in a Material World (CMW): the most materially successful of the eight types; generally not interested in personal growth or spirituality; unlikely to be altruistic in thought or action. 47% married; 56% male; 14.4% of U.S. households.


The Executive Summary contains more information about the eight IOOW types, as well as applications of the IOOW typology.

Included in the book are key elements for political, social, economic, and cultural changes that can facilitate a global awakening. It can be used as a guide, providing basic and advanced insights into how it could be possible for individuals and human society to make a massive shift into a more enlightened society — together.



  • A positive and radical new view of American values, beliefs, and consciousness.
  • Explains the wide gap between these powerfully positive values and the actions of American institutions.
  • Offers new options and potentials for all humanity — a new “idea and action space” above the fray and conflicts dominating today’s societies.
  • Profound insights into socio-cultural dynamics for personal and community transformation.
  • Research-based approaches to bridging differences and supporting the movement toward a more positive future.
  • An extraordinary analysis of the U.S. elections and electorate — and what constitutes positive future values.
  • Strategies for a global social movement that could lead to the next stage in human evolution.

The results of the IOOW 2000 research have been compiled in "What Brings Us Together," a multi-volume report that includes a comprehensive description of how and why the IOOW study was conducted, how the data were collected and analyzed, and an in-depth exploration of study findings.

 

The report volumes include narrative analysis, tabular and graphic presentations of single and cross-tabulated variables, and multiple-factor maps showing the relationship of the eight IOOW types to statistically relevant sets of variables.



Volume 1: Executive Briefing and Summary of Results can now be previewed online.


Volumes in the full What Brings Us Together report include:

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  • Vol. 1: Executive Briefing & Summary of Results — view online

  • Vol. 2: Presentation of Findings & Discussion

  • Vol. 3: Technical Report

  • Vol. 4: Special Topics

  • Vol. 5: Comparison with Other Research

  • Vol. 6: Presentations

  • Vol. 7: Tables of Response Data

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FFGA is also publishing a series of Special Topics Bulletins to highlight select aspects of the research program.

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