Mallworld's political crisis explodes as workers unite in a general strike against Executive Party subjugation. Jime Galilei's ReBound Party wins a guarantee of elections running as champions of strong civic culture and economic justice. But when Mall CEO Ronald Ryan and the Executives crash the economy a bloody disaster ensues. The Executives exploit it to suspend the vote but ReBound vows to hold elections anyway. Can they win, and will the Executives give up power?
Exploring political theory through a dystopia that becomes a utopia, Mallworld, Inc: Bound Forward asks, "How can we transform our world to honor our interconnection with each other and with nature?"
Jime, in exile Outside, organizes the workeys to free themselves from servitude and they go on strike, shutting down Mallworld's industry. Meanwhile, the walkout Inside against the abusive Mallmart corporation swells into a general strike, and the Executives are forced to let Jime back in and allow free and fair elections.
ReBound's philosophy of interconnection and coexaltation spreads further, even reaching Mallworld's aristocratic circles. The Executives, however, orchestrate a great capital flight from troublesome districts, and Mallworld's economy withers.
In a final campaign debate, Jime defends the ideals of democracy and equality and ReBound takes the lead. But only days before the election, a calamity strikes and the Executives suspend the vote. ReBound proclaims they will hold elections anyway, but can they oust the Executives? And if they succeed, what new world will they build?
In the vein of 1984, Brave New World, and Ecotopia, Mallworld, Inc: Bound Forward tells the story of a future struggle for democracy in order to explore the political ideas that can reverse our democratic and environmental crisis today. A utopia for the 21st century, it envisions a world devoted to coexaltation and dignity and charts a path for humanity to get there.