The Democracy Owners' Manual: A Practical Guide to Changing the World

by Jim Shultz

Book Overview

For citizens seeking to take an active role in the affairs of their community--whether improving local schools, forcing clean-up of a polluted river, or weighing in on the debate over economic globalization -- the challenge of activism can be daunting. Civic activists need to understand both the issues involved and how to take effective public action, often against enormous odds. The Democracy Owners' Manual is a unique, hands-on guide for...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813530385
• ISBN13: 9780813530383
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Great, clear

Great book, well organized. Clear and to the point. I used it in both my graduate classes and with high school students.

Understand Democracy ? Then Change the World!

I'm in the education field and one of my reoccurring irritations is that when I go to conferences, I constantly hear about how ...racist, "fill-in-the-blank-with-evil-adjective" the government of the United States is. I am sometimes drawn into these conversations and what I find out the majority of the time is that the same people complaining have no idea how our government works or how to change it. These same people often feel that loudly complaining will solve their differences. Then I start asking these people questions about their knowledge of government like "Do you know who your congressman is?" or "Do you know how Congress works?" What I usually get back is dirty looks and incredulous attitudes. Then I explain how our democratic republic works and how they can put pressure on their appointed representatives. They're usually amazed and ask how I know such things. I explain that a little education (what most people receive, but don't retain in their high school civics classes) about our government, country, and the history of our country can go a long way. Even something as simple as realizing what the three branches of our government are is a useful first step. Reading the Constitution can be a good second step. Books like this one explain some of the basic facts about how our government in the USA works and how to participate in it (other than just voting). Perhaps the most important part of learning about the government and history of the USA is that it's OK to be patriotic. Too many radical liberals (and a few wacko conservatives!) think that it's shameful to be patriot. It's not. The USA is a great country and has much to be proud of. While the USA isn't perfect and has made some mistakes as a country, I always think of the final factor in this country's greatness is the large numbers of people who "vote with their feet" and immigrate here. Some people are so desperate to get here from countries that don't take care of or provide for them that they are willing to illegally immigrate here. That's, perhaps, one of the most powerful statements that can be made about the USA.I highly recommend this book for those of you who feel that your vote isn't important or that you can't change your world. You can!Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan