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The Democracy Project
- A History, a Crisis, a Movement
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 04-09-13
- Language: English
- Publisher: Random House Audio
Regular price: $28.00
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Publisher's Summary
A bold rethinking of the most powerful political idea in the world - democracy - as seen through the lens of the most transformative political movements of our time and the story of how radical democracy can yet transform America.
Democracy has been the American religion since before the Revolution - from New England town halls to the multicultural democracy of Atlantic pirate ships. But can our current political system, one that seems responsive only to the wealthiest among us and leaves most Americans feeling disengaged, voiceless, and disenfranchised, really be called democratic? And if the tools of our democracy are not working to solve the rising crises we face, how can we - average citizens - make change happen?
David Graeber, one of the most influential scholars and activists of his generation, takes listeners on a journey through the idea of democracy, provocatively reorienting our understanding of pivotal historical moments, and extracts their lessons for today - from the birth of Athenian democracy and the founding of the United States of America to the global revolutions of the 20th century and the rise of a new generation of activists. Underlying it all is a bracing argument that in the face of increasingly concentrated wealth and power in this country, a reenergized, reconceived democracy - one based on consensus, equality, and broad participation - can yet provide us with the just, free, and fair society we want.
The Democracy Project tells the story of the resilience of the democratic spirit and the adaptability of the democratic idea. It offers a fresh take on vital history and an impassioned argument that radical democracy is, more than ever, our best hope.
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- Kevin
- 10-15-14
Must-read: such insight, an awakening!
What did you love best about The Democracy Project?
This is one of the handful of gems that make you think in profoundly-different ways.
I heard excellent reviews of Mr. Graeber's book "Debt: the First 5000 Years", but I thought I'd like a more general book to start with and this was perfect.
Explores our assumptions of "democracy", and how Corporate and Government bureaucracy are top-down hierarchies which are quite simply contrary to real democracy.
I've often assumed "anarchism" was somehow extreme or unrealistic, but this book made a very compelling case for how horizontal decision-making is desirable and even practical, featuring numerous real-life examples along with common sense analogies.
This book also tackles the morality of debt and the morality of work head-on, most relevant and fascinating!
What did you like best about this story?
Only special books manage to shake one from one's stupor, or present clear explanations for those nagging ideas that were never understood. This is a lot to ask for, but this book delivers!
Also recommended is Matt Taibbi's book "Griftopia"
Which scene was your favorite?
On top of everything, this book is surprisingly uplifting. Revolutions and revolutionary ideas do indeed cascade into society and our collective consciousness, often seemingly against all odds.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
These book connected so many dots and opened up a new world of ideas and possibilities. For a non-fiction, that is the highest accolade.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Marcus
- 12-31-15
there's a something magic about this book.
I loved the book, but if I had to recap it, it would be hard. The book moves between history and the events of OWS and sums up some thoughts of possible future. I would love an entire book just going through the future of an anarchy world.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Brittney
- 11-08-17
Awesome!
This is a very thought provoking book about the way our current political structures came to be.
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Ricardo
- 07-17-17
imperdible
imperdible para los que estén buscando entender cómo renovar la política y qué significan los últimos aContecimientos y movimientos que promueven la libertad y democracia en todos los niveles
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- Dave M
- 10-31-16
Illuminating
I love everything Graeber has written. While Debt is his most important theoretic work, this is his practical text: setting straight the record on progress.