Local Government

Performative Outrage delivers a piercing examination of how manufactured fury is eroding the foundations of democracy. Drawing from experience in public administration and backed by profound insights, Brooks Williams reveals how local government, the most direct and impactful form of governance—is being paralyzed by social media theatrics, fear-driven decision-making, and the relentless churn of outrage cycles. With searing clarity, he deconstructs the anatomy of performative anger, exposes its enablers, and traces its devastating consequences for trust, leadership, and community cohesion.

This is the story of a local government manager who got hired by a small mountain town in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in his first city manager job. The job got complicated from the first day and developed into more and more complexity.

Almost everyone has faced the frustrating task of negotiating with a local, state, national, or foreign government at some point in their lives. Whether they are applying for a building permit from their local zoning board, trying to sell software to the U.S. Defense Department, looking for...

Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics for Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you. You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. 

Told through "moments of despair, heartbreak, laughter, and triumph" (Kirkus), this "inspiring" (Booklist) and "hopeful" (School Library Journal) memoir tells the true story of how a modern teen girl and her Holocaust-survivor friend fought against hate to create change. In 2018...

The essential guide to local government leadership.

Are you a small city leader or public servant daunted by the prospect of Artificial Intelligence? This book is for you. 'The Technologically-Challenged City's AI Handbook' breaks down complex AI and automation concepts into easy-to-understand, actionable steps specifically designed for municipalities with limited technological infrastructure and expertise. Forget tech jargon and overwhelming budgets; this guide offers a practical, phased roadmap for gradual AI adoption, enabling your city to build capacity from the ground up. Learn how to identify tangible benefits, start with low-cost, ...

It feels like politics counts more today than it ever has. At the same time, people are frustrated by “the mess in Washington” or think “I can’t make a difference”. Local Politics Matters shows a way out: a chance for everyday people to feed their hunger for political action while having a positive impact. Richard Meagher, a professor of political science, takes the knowledge that scholars have gathered from half a century of studying local politics, and translates it into clear action steps for citizens.

During the 1980s an unsung ‘Black Country’ town in the industrial West Midlands was a world removed from Britain’s renowned ‘corridors of power’ at Westminster, corridors that were overshadowed throughout by the ascendancy of one of the most formidable and controversial prime ministers of modern times. Even so, this seeming backwater becomes the battleground for two ambitious young friends as they embark on a thirteen year quest to become its Member of Parliament – a contest that will rage instead through the ‘corridors of power’ of its local government and business ...

Dive into the insightful world of local governance and public service with "Navigating the Path to Public Service". This is not your ordinary eBook. It is a comprehensive guide that seeks to unravel all the intricate details about local government structures, roles and responsibilities, and the entire local government hierarchy. This eBook offers a thorough examination of mayor's offices, city councils, various local government departments, and the differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan governments. It further provides an illuminating overview of regional planning and ...

In the book How to Run for Local Office, you will learn insider tricks from 20-plus-year political veteran Michael Cole. He brings to you step-by-step instructions on how to look with a critical eye of the expert in planning, launching, and executing a successful bid for local office. As Michael says in his book, elected office is for everyone that has a passion for public service, the secrets on how to run should not be hidden away for a few insiders, but for anyone with the drive and determination to do it.

Ghosting the News tells the most troubling media story of our time: How democracy suffers when local news dies. Reporting on news-impoverished areas in the U.S. and around the world, America's premier media critic, Margaret Sullivan, charts the contours of the damage but also surveys some new...

Are you a busy city manager or department head grappling with limited resources and escalating demands? 'Quick-Start AI for City Managers' is your essential, actionable guide to leveraging artificial intelligence for immediate public service improvements. Forget complex theory and jargon – this workbook delivers practical, 'plug-and-play' strategies and templates tailored specifically for small cities. Discover how to identify pain points, implement AI solutions with minimal overhead, and overcome common challenges. From optimizing waste management to enhancing citizen engagement, learn ...

"Too many politicians do suffer from deliberate indifference to facts and move in accord to their own “mysteries of life”." How should you understand the role of government? Using the definition built upon within this book even the role(s) of government can be seen through the filter of common sense. "Do not disregard the application of repeatable facts to common sense ideas. Too many people, especially politicians will lay claim to solutions as “common sense”, whether their goal is or is not actually common sense." Enjoy a brief history building to the current understanding of ...

From farmer, lawyer, and political activist John Klar comes a bold, solutions-based plan for Conservatives that gets beyond the fatuous pipe dreams and social-justice platitudes of the dominant, Liberal “Green” agenda—offering a healthy way forward for everyone.

Ancient Futures is a lyrical and moving portrait of tradition and change in Ladakh, or “Little Tibet", as it was once known. The book is also an engaging critique of the global economy and a call for economic localization. When author Helena Norberg-Hodge first arrived in Ladakh in the 1970s, she found a pristine environment and a people who exhibited remarkable vitality and joy. Not long after, came economic growth and development, and Norberg-Hodge watched how a whole range of problems began to appear for the first time.

Showing Up for Democracy: How Small Actions Create Big Change in Your Community and Beyond Do you want to feel empowered—not overwhelmed—by today’s political landscape? Showing Up for Democracy is an engaging and optimistic guide that proves even small actions can make a real difference, starting where it matters most: your community. This book isn’t about politics—it’s about PEOPLE. It’s about YOU In an era where local elections, community politics, and democratic governance often get overshadowed by the rollercoaster of social media posts and memes, this book offers a clear ...

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER—OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD! This gripping audiobook features a multi-cast narration read by Brittany Pressley, Jennifer Jill Arraya, and Gary Tiedemann. In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level...

For decades, history has considered Tammany Hall, New York's famous political machine, shorthand for the worst of urban politics: graft, crime, and patronage personified by notoriously corrupt characters. Infamous crooks like William "Boss" Tweed dominate traditional histories of Tammany, distorting our understanding of a critical chapter of American political history. In Machine Made, historian and New York City journalist Terry Golway convincingly dismantles these stereotypes.

The transition to clean energy is moving far too slowly. Trapped by a century of fossil fuel investments and politicians that struggle to plan beyond the next election, the “Big Grid” that powers our modern world is outdated and in dire need of an upgrade. Freeing Energy offers a new and faster path towards a clean energy future — one that is more reliable, more equitable, and cheaper.