Politics for People

Written by David Mathews

Discover how citizens can reclaim politics and reshape their communities.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 16 ratings

288 pages

$19.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Frustrated by exclusion from politics, citizens seek to reclaim their voice. In 'Politics for People,' explore how individuals engage politically, build civic communities, and generate public will. David Mathews reveals the power of public dialogue in transforming 'politics as usual' into a system that truly represents the people. Can ordinary citizens influence and capture the future of their communities? This book offers insights and practical examples for those ready to take action and demand a government that works with, not just for, the public. Dive into the heart of democratic engagement and community empowerment.

From the publisher

A must for anyone angry at being shut out of the political system. David Mathews points out that many Americans, making no secret of their anger at being shut out of the political system, are looking for ways to take that system back. Because of their low opinion of “politics as usual,” Mathews believes, some people are trying to create a politics relevant to their everyday lives. These efforts give us a richer understanding of political life and of a much-neglected subject: the public. In Politics for People, Mathews describes how people become politically engaged, how they build civic communities, and how they generate political energy or public will. He argues that political discussion is the doorway into politics, and he makes a case for leavening partisan debate with more public dialogue. He then explains what a democratic citizenry must do if representative government is to perform effectively, and he shows how officials might work with, and not just for, the public.

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