Democracy Rising 7: Deliberative Democracy — Deliberation
People are yearning for authentic engagement. Although deliberation is hard work, it leads to much-needed rewards.
Slow Democracy
Democracy Rising 6: Deliberative Democracy — Inclusion
Democracy is a “we,” not a “they.” Especially at the local level, inclusion does not simply mean everyone is “represented,” it means offering authentic opportunities for people to be involved individually and personally.
Bringing decision making back home
Clark and Teachout see three alarming trends occurring in industrial society. Both public resources and governance decisions are moving towards increasing centralization and privatization.
Slow democracy
Is there anything less popular among Americans than their own government?
Slow Democracy (review)
Whether you are an aging activist, annoyed elected official, or aggrieved citizen, the recently published Slow Democracy is the elixir for returning citizens to their rightful role in self governance. Our country was founded on participatory democracy. It has largely devolved into a faux democracy where we elect others to “represent” us. And when they don’t, we scream, march, blog, and organize in order to be heard. Such blunt instruments may produce short term results but they also leave permanent scars that divide our communities.
If you’re not doing politics, you’re not doing enough
If you look closely, you’ll see that local government is not just something you need to get around and that you don’t, in fact, have to fight City Hall. Indeed, City Hall may be just waiting for you to walk through the front door and take your place as an active citizen.
Slow Democracy; Local investing; and VBSR’s Fall Conference
Vermonter Susan Clark has co-authored the new book, Slow Democracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home, Eric Becker is Chief Investment Officer at Clean Yield Asset Management in Norwich, on how to invest your money in local businesses, and how local businesses can attract local investment, and VBSR’s Scott Buckingham previewed next week’s VBSR conference.
Slow Democracy
What we have now is the McDonald’s of democracy.