Living Democracy, Feeding Hope
Democracy's Edge: Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life
ISBN 9780787943110
By Frances Moore Lappé
In Democracy’s Edge, Lappé reveals an invisible revolution that is taking place in communities throughout our country. She shows how ordinary citizens, driven by a desire to move beyond rhetoric and ideology to solve problems in a direct, practical way, are changing the way we live, work, and govern ourselves. Democracy’s Edge explores how this new approach, what Lappé calls “living democracy,” is working in local government, education, the workplace, human services, and the media. Offering real lessons learned from ordinary Americans, Lappé explodes popular myths about public life, power, and self-interest that stop individuals from discovering the rewards of public involvement. In an era of citizens’ great frustration with the way our democracy is working, Democracy’s Edge provides a powerful and practical way forward.
Table of Contents
PART ONE: Living on Democracy's Edge
1. The Frame
2. The Long Arc
3. Power is not a Four-Letter Word
PART TWO: Democracy Growing Up
4. Our Coat
5. The Elephant
PART THREE: Democracy as a Verb
6. Attention
7. Action
8. Choice
9. Voice
PART FOUR: Democracy in Our Bones
10: Learning
11. Security
12. The Invitation
Two Frames for Democracy
Towards a Language of Democracy
Notes
Entry Points for Living Democracy
The Author
Index
WHAT THE READERS SAY
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, 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, Editor of Call to Renewal