Green Shoots of Democracy within the Philadelphia Democratic Party
Format:Paperback
Publisher:She Writes Press
Published:15th Sep '16
Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date
• Author will promote the book though political organizations that promote transparent, small-d democratic politics such as Americans for Democratic Action, Philadelphia Democratic Progressive Caucus, Pennsylvania Democratic Progressive Caucus, and the National Organization for Women. • Targeting local political writers for book reviews (author has already gotten interest from a number of writers). • Targeting blogs focused on politics (especially local/grassroots-level politics). • Author will organize local book launch event • Author will participate in book group discussions via Skype and in person. • Promotion via social media.
Based on interviews with longtime and newly elected committee people and ward leaders speaking candidly about their experiences in the ward system, Green Shoots of Democracy within the Philadelphia Democratic Party is an in-depth analysis of partisan politics on the grassroots level.Drawing on the experiences of grassroots political activists from different socio- economic and ethnic backgrounds, Green Shoots of Democracy explores how self-identified progressives manage (or fail to manage) to work within a big city political machine. Although the book focuses on the work of progressives to foster democracy and transparency within the Philadelphia Democratic Party, lessons gleaned from their experiences are applicable beyond Philadelphia. Americans have long had a history of volunteerism; however, grassroots partisan politics is often not considered a worthy volunteer endeavor—not as worthy as, for example, working in a homeless shelter or a literacy center. Green Shoots of Democracy argues for a more democratic, transparent party structure—one that is sorely needed to counter the widespread perception that electoral politics is dirty business rather than an honorable civic project.
“Every Philadelphian —make that anyone interested in democratic engagement and transparent governance—should read this book by a veteran Democratic Party committeeperson. A rigorous, completely absorbing case study of Philadelphia’s political structure, the book is both an insider’s guide and a primer on taking back the party. Frank in her assessments of the past and present, Bojar offers a seductive vision of a future party, transformed from the bottom up, and entreats readers to put down the book and make it happen.” —Belinda Davis, Professor of History, Rutgers University “Karen Bojar’s Green Shoots of Democracy is based on her deep knowledge of Philadelphia politics and on extensive interviews with Democratic activists. It is enriched by experience and by keen sociological intelligence. She follows her excellent explanation of the byzantine ward system of Philadelphia and its perpetuation with the patient struggles to bring forth what Paul Wellstone called the 'democratic wing of the Democratic Party.' Bojar shows with acute political understanding that there may still be reasons to believe in electoral politics—not as the essence of democracy but as an indispensable road toward it.” —Magali Sarfatti-Larson, Professor Emerita of Sociology, Temple University “Green Shoots of Democracy argues that the Democratic Party must be genuinely democratic and transparent on the grassroots level if it is to be a force for change on the national level. Based on interviews with progressive committeepeople and ward leaders who have been willing to talk candidly about their experiences working within the ward system, Bojar’s analysis of strategies to encourage voter participation and a voice for committeepeople is applicable to a broad range of political philosophies—a must read for anyone interested in grassroots politics.” —Chris Rabb, Social Justice Activist, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Strategic Leadership, Drexel University, author of Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity
ISBN: 9781631521416
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
288 pages