Saving Democracies

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Saving Democracy

Kevin O'Leary
Saving Democracy Book PDF

Author : Kevin O'Leary
Publisher : Stanford University Press
Page : 308 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2006
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0804754985

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Saving Democracy by Kevin O'Leary Pdf

Saving Democracy presents a bold yet practical plan for reinventing American democracy for the twenty-first century. The book diagnoses contemporary political ills as symptoms of corruption in our large republic and develops a new understanding of representative democracy. Building on the ideas of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, Saving Democracy shows how it is possible to combine the traditional town hall and the Internet to fashion a new theory of representative government that empowers citizens and bridges the enormous gap that now exists between the political elite and the average voter. Under the author's plan, in each of the nation's 435 congressional districts a local assembly of 100 citizens, selected by lot, would meet to discuss the major domestic and international issues. The role of this assembly would be deliberative and advisory and its views would constitute a second, more sophisticated and informed measure of public opinion than traditional public opinion polls. The next step would be the establishment of the People's House, which would hold actual legislative power.

How to Save a Constitutional Democracy

Tom Ginsburg,Aziz Z. Huq
How to Save a Constitutional Democracy Book PDF

Author : Tom Ginsburg,Aziz Z. Huq
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 306 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2018-10-05
Category : Law
ISBN : 9780226564388

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How to Save a Constitutional Democracy by Tom Ginsburg,Aziz Z. Huq Pdf

Democracies are in danger. Around the world, a rising wave of populist leaders threatens to erode the core structures of democratic self rule. In the United States, the election of Donald Trump marked a decisive turning point for many. What kind of president calls the news media the “enemy of the American people,” or sees a moral equivalence between violent neo-Nazi protesters in paramilitary formation and residents of a college town defending the racial and ethnic diversity of their homes? Yet, whatever our concerns about the current president, we can be assured that the Constitution offers safeguards to protect against lasting damage—or can we? How to Save a Constitutional Democracy mounts an urgent argument that we can no longer afford to be complacent. Drawing on a rich array of other countries’ experiences with democratic backsliding, Tom Ginsburg and Aziz Z. Huq show how constitutional rules can either hinder or hasten the decline of democratic institutions. The checks and balances of the federal government, a robust civil society and media, and individual rights—such as those enshrined in the First Amendment—do not necessarily succeed as bulwarks against democratic decline. Rather, Ginsburg and Huq contend, the sobering reality for the United States is that, to a much greater extent than is commonly realized, the Constitution’s design makes democratic erosion more, not less, likely. Its structural rigidity has had the unforeseen consequence of empowering the Supreme Court to fill in some details—often with doctrines that ultimately facilitate rather than inhibit the infringement of rights. Even the bright spots in the Constitution—the First Amendment, for example—may have perverse consequences in the hands of a deft communicator, who can degrade the public sphere by wielding hateful language that would be banned in many other democracies. But we—and the rest of the world—can do better. The authors conclude by laying out practical steps for how laws and constitutional design can play a more positive role in managing the risk of democratic decline.

Responsible Parties

Frances Rosenbluth,Ian Shapiro
Responsible Parties Book PDF

Author : Frances Rosenbluth,Ian Shapiro
Publisher : Yale University Press
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2018-10-02
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780300241051

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Responsible Parties by Frances Rosenbluth,Ian Shapiro Pdf

How popular democracy has paradoxically eroded trust in political systems worldwide, and how to restore confidence in democratic politics In recent decades, democracies across the world have adopted measures to increase popular involvement in political decisions. Parties have turned to primaries and local caucuses to select candidates; ballot initiatives and referenda allow citizens to enact laws directly; many places now use proportional representation, encouraging smaller, more specific parties rather than two dominant ones.Yet voters keep getting angrier.There is a steady erosion of trust in politicians, parties, and democratic institutions, culminating most recently in major populist victories in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Frances Rosenbluth and Ian Shapiro argue that devolving power to the grass roots is part of the problem. Efforts to decentralize political decision-making have made governments and especially political parties less effective and less able to address constituents’ long-term interests. They argue that to restore confidence in governance, we must restructure our political systems to restore power to the core institution of representative democracy: the political party.

How Democracies Die

Steven Levitsky,Daniel Ziblatt
How Democracies Die Book PDF

Author : Steven Levitsky,Daniel Ziblatt
Publisher : Crown
Page : 321 pages
File Size : 46,8 Mb
Release : 2019-01-08
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781524762940

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How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky,Daniel Ziblatt Pdf

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Comprehensive, enlightening, and terrifyingly timely.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) WINNER OF THE GOLDSMITH BOOK PRIZE • SHORTLISTED FOR THE LIONEL GELBER PRIZE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Time • Foreign Affairs • WBUR • Paste Donald Trump’s presidency has raised a question that many of us never thought we’d be asking: Is our democracy in danger? Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt have spent more than twenty years studying the breakdown of democracies in Europe and Latin America, and they believe the answer is yes. Democracy no longer ends with a bang—in a revolution or military coup—but with a whimper: the slow, steady weakening of critical institutions, such as the judiciary and the press, and the gradual erosion of long-standing political norms. The good news is that there are several exit ramps on the road to authoritarianism. The bad news is that, by electing Trump, we have already passed the first one. Drawing on decades of research and a wide range of historical and global examples, from 1930s Europe to contemporary Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela, to the American South during Jim Crow, Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies die—and how ours can be saved. Praise for How Democracies Die “What we desperately need is a sober, dispassionate look at the current state of affairs. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, two of the most respected scholars in the field of democracy studies, offer just that.”—The Washington Post “Where Levitsky and Ziblatt make their mark is in weaving together political science and historical analysis of both domestic and international democratic crises; in doing so, they expand the conversation beyond Trump and before him, to other countries and to the deep structure of American democracy and politics.”—Ezra Klein, Vox “If you only read one book for the rest of the year, read How Democracies Die. . . .This is not a book for just Democrats or Republicans. It is a book for all Americans. It is nonpartisan. It is fact based. It is deeply rooted in history. . . . The best commentary on our politics, no contest.”—Michael Morrell, former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (via Twitter) “A smart and deeply informed book about the ways in which democracy is being undermined in dozens of countries around the world, and in ways that are perfectly legal.”—Fareed Zakaria, CNN

Ill Winds

Larry Diamond
Ill Winds Book PDF

Author : Larry Diamond
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 370 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 2019-06-11
Category : History
ISBN : 9780525560630

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Ill Winds by Larry Diamond Pdf

*Shortlisted for the 2020 Arthur Ross Book Award* From America’s leading scholar of democracy, a personal, passionate call to action against the rising authoritarianism that challenges our world order—and the very value of liberty Larry Diamond has made it his life's work to secure democracy's future by understanding its past and by advising dissidents fighting autocracy around the world. Deeply attuned to the cycles of democratic expansion and decay that determine the fates of nations, he watched with mounting unease as illiberal rulers rose in Hungary, Poland, Turkey, the Philippines, and beyond, while China and Russia grew increasingly bold and bullying. Then, with Trump's election at home, the global retreat from freedom spread from democracy's margins to its heart. Ill Winds' core argument is stark: the defense and advancement of democratic ideals relies on U.S. global leadership. If we do not reclaim our traditional place as the keystone of democracy, today's authoritarian swell could become a tsunami, providing an opening for Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and their admirers to turn the twenty-first century into a dark time of despotism. We are at a hinge in history, between a new era of tyranny and an age of democratic renewal. Free governments can defend their values; free citizens can exercise their rights. We can make the internet safe for liberal democracy, exploit the soft, kleptocratic underbelly of dictatorships, and revive America's degraded democracy. Ill Winds offers concrete, deeply informed suggestions to fight polarization, reduce the influence of money in politics, and make every vote count. In 2020, freedom's last line of defense still remains "We the people."

Saving the Media

Julia Cagé
Saving the Media Book PDF

Author : Julia Cagé
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Page : 79 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2016-04-04
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780674968714

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Saving the Media by Julia Cagé Pdf

Julia Cagé explains the economics and history of the media crisis and offers a solution: a nonprofit media organization, midway between a foundation and a joint stock company, supported by readers, employees, and innovative financing such as crowdfunding. Her business model is inspired by a central idea: that news, like education, is a public good.

Saving Capitalism and Democracy

M. Rabie
Saving Capitalism and Democracy Book PDF

Author : M. Rabie
Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan
Page : 209 pages
File Size : 42,8 Mb
Release : 2013-05-02
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1349460982

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Saving Capitalism and Democracy by M. Rabie Pdf

Saving Capitalism and Democracy tries to answer the difficult questions posed by intellectuals, the media, politicians, students and ordinary people concerning the crisis and how to avert an impending catastrophe.

How Free Speech Saved Democracy

Christopher M. Finan
How Free Speech Saved Democracy Book PDF

Author : Christopher M. Finan
Publisher : Steerforth Press / Truth to Power
Page : 193 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2022-04-26
Category : History
ISBN : 9781586422998

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How Free Speech Saved Democracy by Christopher M. Finan Pdf

“A historical demonstration of the indispensability of the First Amendment [and] … an earnest and timely argument for [its] enduring value.” —Kirkus Reviews "Great storytelling about the history and importance of the First Amendment, from someone who has spent his life defending — and using — it." —Mary Beth Tinker Free speech is not an obstacle to change: it is the way change happens Uncovering vivid and engaging stories about First Amendment pioneers, How Free Speech Saved Democracy shows how their struggle made possible the surging protests that aim to expand democracy today. How Free Speech Saved Democracy is a revealing reminder that First Amendment rights have often been curtailed in efforts to block progress, and that current measures to reduce hurtful language and to end hate speech could backfire on those who promote them. To those who see free speech as a threat to democracy, Finan offers engaging evidence from a long and sometimes challenging history of free speech in America to show how free speech has been essential to expanding democracy. From the beginning of American history, free speech has been used to advocate for change. In the 19th century, abolitionists, advocates for women’s rights, and leaders of the labor movement had to fight for free speech. In the 20th century, the civil rights and anti-war movements expanded free speech, creating a shield for every protest movement we see today. Written by a historian who became a full-time defender of civil liberties and has spent four decades advocating for the rights of victims of censorship, this book grew out of Finan’s desire to address the declining support for free speech that is occurring as our country becomes increasingly polarized. Through his evocative storytelling Finan demonstrates how the most effective antidote for the growth of hate speech and violence is support for and cultivation of the robust alternative of free speech.

Time to Save Democracy

Tam, Henry
Time to Save Democracy Book PDF

Author : Tam, Henry
Publisher : Policy Press
Page : 312 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2018-03-14
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781447338246

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Time to Save Democracy by Tam, Henry Pdf

To govern ourselves or not? That is the existential question of politics. In light of the recent surges of political extremism--and the alienation and distrust that follow--in both the United States and Europe, ensuring the perseverance of democratic self-rule now feels particularly precarious. Time to Save Democracy tackles the daunting challenges of the current moment head-on. With clear, accessible prose, Henry Tam sets out to explore what exactly should be done to revive democracy. Moving beyond familiar 'get the vote out'-style idea, Tam sets out nine key areas where reforms are necessary to ensure we can govern ourselves more effectively, touching on notions of having a shared mission and mutual respect among politically dissimilar groups, the importance of public accountability for elected officials, and sustaining the power balance between the government and its constituents. Dispelling the suggestion that democracy has run its course, this book serves as a powerful reminder of why democratic governance is indispensable.

Saving Democracy

Mark Evans,Gerry Stoker
Saving Democracy Book PDF

Author : Mark Evans,Gerry Stoker
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2022
Category : Democracy
ISBN : 1350328286

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Saving Democracy by Mark Evans,Gerry Stoker Pdf

"Is democracy really in crisis? Or is there still time to save it? There is a widespread belief that citizens in liberal democracies have grown increasingly distrustful of politicians, cynical about national and global governance institutions and disillusioned with democratic processes and principles. This text offers a state-of-the art overview of democratic innovations today, moving beyond cries of the 'death' or 'end' of democracy to instead offer a range of practical solutions for how to save democracy and restore faith in democratic practice. 'Old' democratic power, represented by existing structures, is being challenged. 'New' power involves collaboration and rapid feedback loops, as well as increased citizen participation. The future of democracy, the authors argue, will be about findings ways of melding 'old' and 'new' power practices. Offering a broad and accessible survey of what different forms of democracy and democratic innovations look like today, and how they can develop in future, Saving Democracy shows us the potential for transformation across the entire democratic process. Avoiding a reductive focus on simply getting citizens more involved in decision-making, this book uniquely argues for the importance of refining and monitoring how democratic decisions are made and how they are followed through. An essential read for students of democracy and democratic innovation, for those working in political reform, and for anyone seeking an answer to one of the key challenges of the twenty-first century: can democratic politics find new ways of working that will restore faith in its practices?"--

The New Class War

Michael Lind
The New Class War Book PDF

Author : Michael Lind
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 224 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2020-01-21
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780593083703

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The New Class War by Michael Lind Pdf

In both Europe and North America, populist movements have shattered existing party systems and thrown governments into turmoil. The embattled establishment claims that these populist insurgencies seek to overthrow liberal democracy. The truth is no less alarming but is more complex: Western democracies are being torn apart by a new class war. In this controversial and groundbreaking new analysis, Michael Lind, one of America’s leading thinkers, debunks the idea that the insurgencies are primarily the result of bigotry, traces how the breakdown of mid-century class compromises between business and labor led to the conflict, and reveals the real battle lines. On one side is the managerial overclass—the university-credentialed elite that clusters in high-income hubs and dominates government, the economy and the culture. On the other side is the working class of the low-density heartlands—mostly, but not exclusively, native and white. The two classes clash over immigration, trade, the environment, and social values, and the managerial class has had the upper hand. As a result of the half-century decline of the institutions that once empowered the working class, power has shifted to the institutions the overclass controls: corporations, executive and judicial branches, universities, and the media. The class war can resolve in one of three ways: • The triumph of the overclass, resulting in a high-tech caste system. • The empowerment of populist, resulting in no constructive reforms • A class compromise that provides the working class with real power Lind argues that Western democracies must incorporate working-class majorities of all races, ethnicities, and creeds into decision making in politics, the economy, and culture. Only this class compromise can avert a never-ending cycle of clashes between oligarchs and populists and save democracy.

Democracy's Edge

Frances Moore Lappe
Democracy s Edge Book PDF

Author : Frances Moore Lappe
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 493 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2005-10-28
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780787983352

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Democracy's Edge by Frances Moore Lappe Pdf

Three out of five Americans, both Republicans and Democrats, feel our country is headed in the wrong direction. America is at the edge, a critical place at which we can either renew and revitalize or give in and lose that most precious American ideal--democracy--and along with it the freedom, fairness, and opportunities it assures. Democracy's Edge is a rousing battle cry that we can--and must--act now. From Jefferson to Eisenhower, presidents from both parties have warned us of the danger of letting a closed, narrow group of business and government officials concentrate power over our lives. Yet today, a small and unrepresentative group of people is making vital decisions for all of us. But this crisis is only a symptom, Lappé argues. It's a symptom of thin democracy, something done to us or for us, not by or with us. Such democracy is always at risk of being stolen by private interests or extremist groups, left and right. But there is a solution. The answer, says Lappé, is Living Democracy, a powerful yet often invisible citizens' revolution surging in communities across America. It's not random, disjointed activism but the emergence of a new historical stage of democracy in which Americans realize that democracy isn't something we have but something we do. Either we live it or lose it, says Lappé.

The People Vs. Democracy

Yascha Mounk
The People Vs Democracy Book PDF

Author : Yascha Mounk
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Page : 401 pages
File Size : 41,6 Mb
Release : 2018-03-05
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780674976825

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The People Vs. Democracy by Yascha Mounk Pdf

Uiteenzetting over de opkomst van het populisme en het gevaar daarvan voor de democratie.

Saving Democracies

Anthony J. Joes
Saving Democracies Book PDF

Author : Anthony J. Joes
Publisher : Praeger
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 1999-09-30
Category : History
ISBN : UOM:39015048746294

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Saving Democracies by Anthony J. Joes Pdf

U.S. military forces are increasingly involved in peacekeeping missions around the world, and this new role raises the prospect of confrontation with guerrilla movements, combat for which troops are largely untrained. This book contains analyses of past and present conflicts involving the American military, not only the Vietnam experience but also more recent involvement in El Salvador and Somalia, each of which has provoked great controversy on the domestic front. The contributors also consider the experiences of other countries in meeting such threats: Russia's dangerously unstable democracy, Peru's successful efforts to defeat a notorious insurgency, and Japan's continuing reluctance to send even token military forces outside its own borders. These issues will continue to engage and challenge American society long into the next millennium.

Saving Democracy

David Pepper
Saving Democracy Book PDF

Author : David Pepper
Publisher : St. Helena Press
Page : 262 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2023-05-20
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781662938221

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Saving Democracy by David Pepper Pdf

Laboratories of Autocracy walked through the hidden breadth, depth, and intensity of the countrywide attack on democracy. The final chapters outlined thirty steps necessary to fight back. One of the most common responses from readers was—“I skipped to the end. I wanted to get to the solutions.” Saving Democracy is the companion book that skips to the end: —It details how we all can and must play a role in saving democracy at this fraught time. —It explains how all levels of the pro-democracy side, from national political leaders to grassroots activists to everyday Americans, must switch to offense. —It explains how to stay on offense and win on offense. Immediately, and everywhere. But it doesn’t do this at 30,000 feet. It’s a user’s manual, intended to spur action. Your action. After a quick review of the true battle for democracy we are engaged in, each chapter explains how YOU, the reader, can and must play the leading role in lifting democracy. It details the concrete steps individuals and groups can take where you live, lists resources that can help along the way, and offers case studies and best practices that have worked elsewhere. Saving Democracy is structured to challenge and guide each reader—no matter your role in your community or politics or where you work—on how you each can play a more active and effective role in lifting democracy than you might have imagined. Over the course of the book, you will construct your own personal plan to fight for democracy. And when you’re finished, you’ll be ready to get to work.