Presently, our forms of social organization are dominated by an old paradigm that is increasingly at odds with what is new and emerging. New structures and processes are needed that are dedicated to serving the emergence of a positive future. There are two major competing paradigms in human society: Domination and Control versus Cooperation and Integral Consciousness.

Discernment with compassion tells us that the old structures and norms of our society evolved to serve the interests of personal and collective survival and the emergence from feudalism of industrial commerce. Our history and culture were shaped by this -- it is a part of all of us, and it serves little good to complain and fight these old structures that helped get us to where we are now. We can use a new type of discernment to decide now what practices of our personal or societal behavior are most harmful and thus should be stopped or redirected, as well as how best to use our energy for creating new structures and ways of conducting ourselves as individuals and as a society.

Until new structures dedicated to serving a positive future are in place, we can try to adapt those of our current social, political, and economic structures to help effect a gradual transition. We must deliberately evolve new ways of conducting ourselves as our consciousness continues to outreach the ability of our old social structures to serve our future interests in the present.

The New America Papers identifies three simple, yet far-reaching factors for positive change that can include the vast majority of Americans: connection, service, and spirituality. Each of these can also be seen in combination as well, and taken together, represent a set of core aspirations that embrace 84% of American households.