The title is intended to contrast with the way, according to the book, society is presently directed: by a small, influential group of wealthy elites. As I argue in the book, our society is not self-directed, and has not been self-directed for thousands of years. Society has been shepherded, led by the nose in the direction decided for it by small groups of influential persons: the nobility and the religious leaders. The masses were told what they needed to be told to keep them in line. This model is changing far too slowly and in some ways we sometimes seem more deeply rooted in it now than ever before.

The book presents a complex, optimistic, democratic and ultimately workable solution to create social change from the inside. It is of course a suggestion, not an order; but the information and its framing arguments are presented in the hope that once a plurality of citizens simply begin to consider some of these ideas, it will not matter if they disagree with bits of it, of course everyone will, but as people discuss these ideas they will come to a new understanding of the complexity of the issues and create positive new changes to overcome the challenges we as a society face. In the future, science will improve on the theories I discuss; the necessity for compromise will eternally mitigate the implementation of the political ideals I promote; technology will come up with new solutions and unforeseen problems; but in short, by simply considering these Principles, the world will be a better place.