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

Rating:
Summary: Understand Democracy ¿ Then Change the World!
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Are you a beginning organizer, activist, or advocate?
Review: If you are a novice at organizing people around important community issues, this is a good book for you. This book can be used as a "how to" guide for those seeking to put together advocacy campaings. If you want to change something in the world or in your community, this book is a good place to start. For more seasoned organizers, this book is review, but it is a good resource to have around your home or office. Jim Shultz has been doing this work for a long time and he lays out strategies that WORK in a manner that is helpful and repectful. The book is also easy to read- no complicated jargon.