Description
Book SynopsisThe two-month long election day in Florida made one thing clear: we need to find ways to make the American political system more responsive to the demands of all citizens. This book provides a critical assessement of a broad range of electoral reforms proposed to enhance responsive government.
Trade ReviewBringing together a rich and thoughtful collection of essays written by democratic theorists, researchers, and practitioners, Democracy's Moment provides a thoughtful and compelling argument for the need to rediscover our tradition of democratic reform, and a pragmatic blueprint for how to do so. This book should be read by anyone interested in the theory and practice of participatory democracy. -- Michael X. Delli Carpini, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
Democracy's Moment is a tremendously important contribution to a moment in our nation's history—democracy's moment, hopefully—when we can make major progress toward reforming our democratic processes and practices to make them as vibrant, inclusive, and fully participatory as we possibly can. The book contains a terrific assortment of historical analyses, current trends, and particular policy proposals aimed at making democracy truly work. -- Miles S. Rapoport * From The Foreword *
This volume is filled with sound theory and practical approaches to solving the problem of nonparticipation in the U.S.'s political life. The presidential election of 2000 may have presented the American political system with the moment it has been waiting for—the moment to undertake serious, meaningful reform. Those who share that interest will find this volume enormously helpful. Recommended. * CHOICE *
A valuable overview of the many ways to strengthen democracy . . . the varied approaches in this book, all moving together, are an agenda that can bear fruit over time. * Future Survey *
The book is not just a valuable contribution to political science, but a passionate pleading for reforms in the tradition of the progressive movement as most openly demonstrated in the concluding remarks. The volume can be recommended either to the student of U.S. electoral matters or to the reform activist; ideally—one is tempted to assume—the reader may be both. * Political Studies Review *
Listening to most academics and pundits, you would not necessarily believe it: but this IS democracy's moment. Ronald Hayduk and Kevin Mattson are to be congratulated for bringing together a wise group of essayists who combine a detailed knowledge of the electoral system with a democratic imagination grounded in the best of American historical traditions. This is the rare book that could produce a genuinely better civic life. -- Robert D. Johnston, Yale University
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction and Historical Background Chapter 2 Remembering Florida for the Right Reasons Chapter 3 History as Hope: The Legacy of the Progressive Era and the Future of Political Reform in America Part 4 Eliminating Barriers to Political Participation: Tearing Down Walls Chapter 5 The Weight of History: Election Reform During the Progressive Era and Today Chapter 6 More Choice Please! Why U. S. Ballot Access Laws are Discriminatory and How Independent Parties and Candidates Challenge Them Chapter 7 Freeing Politics from the Grip of Money: The Limits of Campaign Finance Reform and the Need for a New Approach Part 8 Engaging Citizens: Building Citizens Chapter 9 Democratic Theory and the Case for Public Deliberation Chapter 10 Educating for Democracy Chapter 11 Community as a Source for Democratic Politics Chapter 12 Can the Internet Rescue Democracy? Toward an On-line Commons Part 13 Making the System More Responsive Chapter 14 Instant Runoff Voting and Full Representation: Keys to Fulfilling Democracy's Promise Chapter 15 Putting Democracy Back into the Initiative and Referendum Chapter 16 The Debate Gerrymander and America's Electoral-Industrial Complex Chapter 17 The Electoral College: Constitutional Debate, Partisan Manipulation, and Reform Possibilities Part 18 Challenges and Prospects for Democratic Reform Chapter 19 What Makes Reform So Difficult: The Case of America's Cities and the Problem of Elites Chapter 20 Looking Backward While Looking Forward to Democracy's Moment Chapter 21 Appendix: National and Regional Democracy Organizations
