The Rebirth of Urban Democracy

The Rebirth of Urban Democracy

Author: Kent E. Portney

Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

Published: 2002-09-13

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 9780815723660

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In an era when government seems remote and difficult to approach, participatory democracy may seem a hopelessly romantic notion. Yet nothing is more crucial to the future of American democracy than to develop some way of spurring greater citizen participation. In this important book, Jeffrey Berry, Ken Portney, and Ken Thompson examine cities that have created systems of neighborhood government and incorporated citizens in public policymaking. Through careful research and analysis, the authors find that neighborhood based participation is the key to revitalizing American democracy. The Rebirth of Urban Democracy provides a thorough examination of five cities with strong citizen participation programs--Birmingham, Dayton, Portland, St. Paul, and San Antonio. In each city, the authors explore whether neighborhood associations encourage more people to participate; whether these associations are able to promote policy responsiveness on the art of local governments; and whether participation in these associations increases the capacity of people to take part in government. Finally, the authors outline the steps that can be taken to increase political participation in urban America. Berry, Portney, and Thomson show that citizens in participatory programs are able to get their issues on the public agenda and develop a stronger sense of community, greater trust in government officials, and more confidence in the political system. From a rigorous evaluation of surveys and interviews with thousands of citizens and policymakers, the authors also find that central governments in these cities are highly responsive to their neighborhoods and that less conflict exists among citizens and policymakers. The authors assert that these programs can provide a blueprint for major reform in cities across the country. They outline the components for successful participation programs and offer recommendations for those who want to get involved. They demonstrate that participatio


Book Synopsis The Rebirth of Urban Democracy by : Kent E. Portney

Download or read book The Rebirth of Urban Democracy written by Kent E. Portney and published by Brookings Institution Press. This book was released on 2002-09-13 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In an era when government seems remote and difficult to approach, participatory democracy may seem a hopelessly romantic notion. Yet nothing is more crucial to the future of American democracy than to develop some way of spurring greater citizen participation. In this important book, Jeffrey Berry, Ken Portney, and Ken Thompson examine cities that have created systems of neighborhood government and incorporated citizens in public policymaking. Through careful research and analysis, the authors find that neighborhood based participation is the key to revitalizing American democracy. The Rebirth of Urban Democracy provides a thorough examination of five cities with strong citizen participation programs--Birmingham, Dayton, Portland, St. Paul, and San Antonio. In each city, the authors explore whether neighborhood associations encourage more people to participate; whether these associations are able to promote policy responsiveness on the art of local governments; and whether participation in these associations increases the capacity of people to take part in government. Finally, the authors outline the steps that can be taken to increase political participation in urban America. Berry, Portney, and Thomson show that citizens in participatory programs are able to get their issues on the public agenda and develop a stronger sense of community, greater trust in government officials, and more confidence in the political system. From a rigorous evaluation of surveys and interviews with thousands of citizens and policymakers, the authors also find that central governments in these cities are highly responsive to their neighborhoods and that less conflict exists among citizens and policymakers. The authors assert that these programs can provide a blueprint for major reform in cities across the country. They outline the components for successful participation programs and offer recommendations for those who want to get involved. They demonstrate that participatio


The Rebirth of Democracy

The Rebirth of Democracy

Author: Thomas Mann (Schriftsteller)

Publisher:

Published: 1941

Total Pages: 2

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis The Rebirth of Democracy by : Thomas Mann (Schriftsteller)

Download or read book The Rebirth of Democracy written by Thomas Mann (Schriftsteller) and published by . This book was released on 1941 with total page 2 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Rebirth of Russian Democracy

The Rebirth of Russian Democracy

Author: Nicolai N. Petro

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9780674750012

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Includes bibliographical references and index.


Book Synopsis The Rebirth of Russian Democracy by : Nicolai N. Petro

Download or read book The Rebirth of Russian Democracy written by Nicolai N. Petro and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 1995 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes bibliographical references and index.


The Rebirth of Democracy

The Rebirth of Democracy

Author: International Institute for Democracy

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 1996-01-01

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9789287130945

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The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.


Book Synopsis The Rebirth of Democracy by : International Institute for Democracy

Download or read book The Rebirth of Democracy written by International Institute for Democracy and published by Council of Europe. This book was released on 1996-01-01 with total page 452 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.


Democracy's Rebirth

Democracy's Rebirth

Author: Dick Simpson

Publisher:

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 9780252044304

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"In the third decade of the 21st century we face major challenges to democracy. We are struggling to build a multi-racial, multiethnic democracy based upon political and social equality. We are finding it especially difficult to create an economy that empowers everyone and distributes economic rewards fairly without extreme gaps between rich and poor. The challenges to democracy are both theoretical and very practical. A rather remarkable consensus has emerged among scholars--especially, among political scientists--about the problems we face. There is less consensus about what can be done to confront those problems. In Democracy's Rebirth, Dick Simpson synthesizes the theoretical and empirical studies from many different authors, merges it with his own practical political experience, to frame a single coherent vision of what is to be done at this critical juncture in our history. The result is both a theoretical discourse and a practical manifesto. With 50 years of political research and his unique perspective as a former political candidate, elected official, campaign strategist, and government adviser, Simpson outlines the local, national, and global challenges to democracy. For Simpson, the challenges exist not only at the national level but in cities like Chicago, so he uses Chicago as a case study of how these social, political, and economic challenges play out at the local level. The goal is not utopia, not heaven on earth. However, if democracy is to be reborn in Chicago and America, we must create a more participatory democracy but also a better, more deliberative democracy, led by strong democratic leaders"--


Book Synopsis Democracy's Rebirth by : Dick Simpson

Download or read book Democracy's Rebirth written by Dick Simpson and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In the third decade of the 21st century we face major challenges to democracy. We are struggling to build a multi-racial, multiethnic democracy based upon political and social equality. We are finding it especially difficult to create an economy that empowers everyone and distributes economic rewards fairly without extreme gaps between rich and poor. The challenges to democracy are both theoretical and very practical. A rather remarkable consensus has emerged among scholars--especially, among political scientists--about the problems we face. There is less consensus about what can be done to confront those problems. In Democracy's Rebirth, Dick Simpson synthesizes the theoretical and empirical studies from many different authors, merges it with his own practical political experience, to frame a single coherent vision of what is to be done at this critical juncture in our history. The result is both a theoretical discourse and a practical manifesto. With 50 years of political research and his unique perspective as a former political candidate, elected official, campaign strategist, and government adviser, Simpson outlines the local, national, and global challenges to democracy. For Simpson, the challenges exist not only at the national level but in cities like Chicago, so he uses Chicago as a case study of how these social, political, and economic challenges play out at the local level. The goal is not utopia, not heaven on earth. However, if democracy is to be reborn in Chicago and America, we must create a more participatory democracy but also a better, more deliberative democracy, led by strong democratic leaders"--


National Democratic Rebirth

National Democratic Rebirth

Author: S. A. Danfulani

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 9789780326975

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Book Synopsis National Democratic Rebirth by : S. A. Danfulani

Download or read book National Democratic Rebirth written by S. A. Danfulani and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe

Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe

Author: Sabrina P. Ramet

Publisher: Central European University Press

Published: 2019-06-12

Total Pages: 492

ISBN-13: 9633863104

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Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common, in particular their shared hostility to individualism, representative government, laissez faire capitalism, and the decadence they associated with modern culture. But rather than seeking to return to earlier ways of working these movements and regimes sought to design a new future – an alternative future – that would restore the nation to spiritual and political health. The Fascists, for their part, specifically promoted palingenesis, which is to say the spiritual rebirth of the nation. The book closes with a long epilogue, in which Ramet defends liberal democracy, highlighting its strengths and advantages. In this chapter, the author identifies five key choke points, which would-be authoritarians typically seek to control, subvert, or instrumentalize: electoral rules, the judiciary, the media, hate speech, and surveillance, and looks at the cases of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, and Donald Trump’s United States.


Book Synopsis Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe by : Sabrina P. Ramet

Download or read book Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe written by Sabrina P. Ramet and published by Central European University Press. This book was released on 2019-06-12 with total page 492 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common, in particular their shared hostility to individualism, representative government, laissez faire capitalism, and the decadence they associated with modern culture. But rather than seeking to return to earlier ways of working these movements and regimes sought to design a new future – an alternative future – that would restore the nation to spiritual and political health. The Fascists, for their part, specifically promoted palingenesis, which is to say the spiritual rebirth of the nation. The book closes with a long epilogue, in which Ramet defends liberal democracy, highlighting its strengths and advantages. In this chapter, the author identifies five key choke points, which would-be authoritarians typically seek to control, subvert, or instrumentalize: electoral rules, the judiciary, the media, hate speech, and surveillance, and looks at the cases of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, and Donald Trump’s United States.


Democracy as Popular Sovereignty

Democracy as Popular Sovereignty

Author: Filimon Peonidis

Publisher: Lexington Books

Published: 2013-08-15

Total Pages: 125

ISBN-13: 073917939X

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Although democracy is in principle associated with popular rule, in practice it is best described as rule by elected elites. This form of government is not only wanting from a theoretical point of view, but it also no longer seems to meet the expectations of large segments of the citizenry. This book offers a blueprint for an alternative democratic model, democracy as popular sovereignty. Starting with the idea that the people, generously defined, are sovereign when they rule as equally valuable and fully participating members of a self-governing collectivity, this model tries to describe the constitutional and institutional arrangements necessary to achieve a workable version of this idea in advanced democratic states. This implies among other changes a greater dose of direct democracy, the use of sortition and a different conception of representation. The overall argument developed combines insights, facts, and findings from normative political theory, empirical political science, democracy’s long history as well as from the recent burgeoning literature on participatory and deliberative democracy.


Book Synopsis Democracy as Popular Sovereignty by : Filimon Peonidis

Download or read book Democracy as Popular Sovereignty written by Filimon Peonidis and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2013-08-15 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although democracy is in principle associated with popular rule, in practice it is best described as rule by elected elites. This form of government is not only wanting from a theoretical point of view, but it also no longer seems to meet the expectations of large segments of the citizenry. This book offers a blueprint for an alternative democratic model, democracy as popular sovereignty. Starting with the idea that the people, generously defined, are sovereign when they rule as equally valuable and fully participating members of a self-governing collectivity, this model tries to describe the constitutional and institutional arrangements necessary to achieve a workable version of this idea in advanced democratic states. This implies among other changes a greater dose of direct democracy, the use of sortition and a different conception of representation. The overall argument developed combines insights, facts, and findings from normative political theory, empirical political science, democracy’s long history as well as from the recent burgeoning literature on participatory and deliberative democracy.


The Rebirth Constitution

The Rebirth Constitution

Author: Thomas Dahlberg

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2013-07-04

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 9781484910207

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The US Constitution of 1789 has been disobeyed from the outset because it could be. Its anti-democratic bias, its lack of democratic process, has made it impossible for the people to directly police their so-called "representatives," judges, and constitutional officers. None of them, contrary to what they so often suggest, are the champions of the objective truth. All human thought and action is tradition-bound. Because it was not specifically prohibited and sanctioned in the constitution of 1789, the government has monopolized the means of cultural production -- the schools, the universities, the welfare system, policy-making science, immigration, and the courts. It has leveraged this monopoly in its attempt to make its liberal, rationalist tradition the culturally dominant tradition and the dominant interpretation of the otherwise static text of the positive law -- including the constitution itself. The so-called "rule of law" is the rule of a dominant tradition. We must make it impossible for the government to unilaterally determine that tradition. Democracy is the private ownership and control of the means of cultural production. This must be asserted explicitly in our constitution if democracy is going to survive. We need a new postmodern constitution which rejects the modern liberal notion that the government can be rooted in universal standards of rational justification and universal principles of justice; that it can be tradition-neutral. Democracy is rooted in a whole web of belief about Reality, including the nature of man and therefore the nature of justice. The Rebirth Constitution recognizes the Christian foundations of real democracy, including the rejection of any official state religion and the separation of the state from every form of non-technical education. The western religious tradition is the foundation of all limits on the state. The state must have a tradition to administer justice. Paradoxically, that tradition must be one which, by its very nature, puts itself at risk by giving the people complete control over the means of cultural production. Without this popular control of the culture there is no liberty and there is no peace. This is what justifies the very same government's enforcement of the democratically derived law; its prohibition of sub-cultural law when such law violates the law written by the people and interpreted by the tradition they make dominant through competing private education and the election of their judges. The Rebirth Constitution is an explicitly postmodern, neopopulist artifact. It is a text that will please libertarians, but whose foundations are unquestionably post-liberal.


Book Synopsis The Rebirth Constitution by : Thomas Dahlberg

Download or read book The Rebirth Constitution written by Thomas Dahlberg and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2013-07-04 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The US Constitution of 1789 has been disobeyed from the outset because it could be. Its anti-democratic bias, its lack of democratic process, has made it impossible for the people to directly police their so-called "representatives," judges, and constitutional officers. None of them, contrary to what they so often suggest, are the champions of the objective truth. All human thought and action is tradition-bound. Because it was not specifically prohibited and sanctioned in the constitution of 1789, the government has monopolized the means of cultural production -- the schools, the universities, the welfare system, policy-making science, immigration, and the courts. It has leveraged this monopoly in its attempt to make its liberal, rationalist tradition the culturally dominant tradition and the dominant interpretation of the otherwise static text of the positive law -- including the constitution itself. The so-called "rule of law" is the rule of a dominant tradition. We must make it impossible for the government to unilaterally determine that tradition. Democracy is the private ownership and control of the means of cultural production. This must be asserted explicitly in our constitution if democracy is going to survive. We need a new postmodern constitution which rejects the modern liberal notion that the government can be rooted in universal standards of rational justification and universal principles of justice; that it can be tradition-neutral. Democracy is rooted in a whole web of belief about Reality, including the nature of man and therefore the nature of justice. The Rebirth Constitution recognizes the Christian foundations of real democracy, including the rejection of any official state religion and the separation of the state from every form of non-technical education. The western religious tradition is the foundation of all limits on the state. The state must have a tradition to administer justice. Paradoxically, that tradition must be one which, by its very nature, puts itself at risk by giving the people complete control over the means of cultural production. Without this popular control of the culture there is no liberty and there is no peace. This is what justifies the very same government's enforcement of the democratically derived law; its prohibition of sub-cultural law when such law violates the law written by the people and interpreted by the tradition they make dominant through competing private education and the election of their judges. The Rebirth Constitution is an explicitly postmodern, neopopulist artifact. It is a text that will please libertarians, but whose foundations are unquestionably post-liberal.


Suicide of the West

Suicide of the West

Author: Jonah Goldberg

Publisher: Crown Forum

Published: 2020-01-14

Total Pages: 482

ISBN-13: 110190495X

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An urgent argument that America and other democracies are in peril because they have lost the will to defend the values and institutions that sustain freedom and prosperity. Now updated with a new preface! “Epic and debate-shifting.”—David Brooks, New York Times Only once in the last 250,000 years have humans stumbled upon a way to lift ourselves out of the endless cycle of poverty, hunger, and war that defines most of history. If democracy, individualism, and the free market were humankind’s destiny, they should have appeared and taken hold a bit earlier in the evolutionary record. The emergence of freedom and prosperity was nothing short of a miracle. As Americans we are doubly blessed, because the radical ideas that made the miracle possible were written not just into the Constitution but in our hearts, laying the groundwork for our uniquely prosperous society. Those ideas are: • Our rights come from God, not from the government. • The government belongs to us; we do not belong to it. • The individual is sovereign. We are all captains of our own souls, not bound by the circumstances of our birth. • The fruits of our labors belong to us. In the last few decades, these political virtues have been turned into vices. As we are increasingly taught to view our traditions as a system of oppression, exploitation, and privilege, the principles of liberty and the rule of law are under attack from left and right. For the West to survive, we must renew our sense of gratitude for what our civilization has given us and rediscover the ideals and habits of the heart that led us out of the bloody muck of the past—or back to the muck we will go.


Book Synopsis Suicide of the West by : Jonah Goldberg

Download or read book Suicide of the West written by Jonah Goldberg and published by Crown Forum. This book was released on 2020-01-14 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An urgent argument that America and other democracies are in peril because they have lost the will to defend the values and institutions that sustain freedom and prosperity. Now updated with a new preface! “Epic and debate-shifting.”—David Brooks, New York Times Only once in the last 250,000 years have humans stumbled upon a way to lift ourselves out of the endless cycle of poverty, hunger, and war that defines most of history. If democracy, individualism, and the free market were humankind’s destiny, they should have appeared and taken hold a bit earlier in the evolutionary record. The emergence of freedom and prosperity was nothing short of a miracle. As Americans we are doubly blessed, because the radical ideas that made the miracle possible were written not just into the Constitution but in our hearts, laying the groundwork for our uniquely prosperous society. Those ideas are: • Our rights come from God, not from the government. • The government belongs to us; we do not belong to it. • The individual is sovereign. We are all captains of our own souls, not bound by the circumstances of our birth. • The fruits of our labors belong to us. In the last few decades, these political virtues have been turned into vices. As we are increasingly taught to view our traditions as a system of oppression, exploitation, and privilege, the principles of liberty and the rule of law are under attack from left and right. For the West to survive, we must renew our sense of gratitude for what our civilization has given us and rediscover the ideals and habits of the heart that led us out of the bloody muck of the past—or back to the muck we will go.