Democracy’s Edge

Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life

Frances Moore Lappé

Our nation is being pulled in two opposite directions. On one side are the forces of arrogance, of exclusion, and of deceit that threaten to plunge us into the abyss by subjugating Democracy to satisfy their thirst for power. But there is hope: an invisible revolution is taking place in communities all across our country. From national political campaigns to local community action groups, a grassroots approach to change is taking hold of America today. Ordinary citizens, driven by a desire to move beyond rhetoric and ideology and address problems in a direct, practical way, are changing the way we live, work, and govern ourselves. Going past the tired polemics left and right, liberal and conservative, pr ogressive and reactionary Democracy’s Edge shows us how to bring our country alive again. Building on the revolutionary ideas Frances Moore Lappé first raised in The Quickening of America, Lappé takes a sharper, more critical edge, acknowledging the steep decline in public life, and rise in polarization and cynicism in the last decade all without defusing readers enthusiasm in learning of promising breakthroughs in living democracy. Democracy’s Edge reveals how this new approach to solving our problems is indeed working in local government, education, the workplace, human services, and the media. Exploding the popular myths about public life, power, and self-interest that stop individuals from discovering the rewards of public involvement, Lappé offers real lessons learned from ordinary Americans on how to reinvigorate American political life. More than a book, this is an alarm sounding across the American landscape, a rallying cry, an urgent call that now is the time to act or risk losing our Democracy forever.

Learn more, read samples, and find helpful resources at the Democracy’s Edge website.

Reviews

“Poetic and passionate...A small number of people in every generation are forerunners, in thought, action, spirit, who swerve past the barriers of greed and power to hold a torch high for the rest of us. Lappé is one of those.”—Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States

“Please, please, please make this audacious book a priority, for it is written with the most careful and tender feelings about what we are all so near to losing—our democracy.” -- Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

“America is lost in a gnarled thicket of bought politicos, corporate con men, and media hucksters. Lappé has drawn the map that will get us out alive.”—Greg Palast, author, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

“Lappé is a pioneer in democratic thought and action.”—Cornel West, University Professor of Religion, Princeton University

“Extraordinary. A provocative and exciting new approach to reviving democracy.” -- Amy Domini, founder and CEO, Domini Social Investments

”Democracy’s Edge is an exciting and hopeful account of the rebirth of a living American democracy as people connect with each other around the country to solve problems and build a better society.” -- Jim Wallis, author, God’s Politics, and convener and editor, Call to Renewal