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Slow Democracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home
Reconnecting with the sources of decisions that affect us, and with the processes of democracy itself, is at the heart of 21st-century sustainable communities. Slow Democracy chronicles the ways in which ordinary people have mobilized to find local solutions to local problems. It invites us to bring the advantages of "slow" to our community decision making. Just as slow food encourages chefs and eaters to become more intimately involved with the production of local food, slow democracy encourages us to govern ourselves locally with processes that are inclusive, deliberative, and citizen powered. Susan Clark and Woden Teachout outline the qualities of real, local decision making and show us the range of ways that communities are breathing new life into participatory democracy around the country. We meet residents who seize back control of their municipal water systems from global corporations, parents who find unique solutions to seemingly divisive school-redistricting issues, and a host of other citizens across the nation who have designed local decision-making systems to solve the problems unique to their area in ways that work best for their communities. Though rooted in the direct participation that defined our nation's early days, slow democracy is not a romantic vision for reigniting the ways of old. Rather, the strategies outlined here are uniquely suited to 21st-century technologies and culture.If our future holds an increased focus on local food, local energy, and local economy, then surely we will need to improve our skills at local governance as well.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 22, 2012
Slow Democracy is a profound book of hope. It provided many insights in the midst of an election season and while I was attending local zoning and commissioners' hearings. Thanks to authors Clark and Teachout, I understand the problems I've been seeing and they have given me inspired ideas on how to address them. I recommend Slow Democracy to government office holders and staff members who are open to questioning whether their citizens are engaged meaningfully in hearings and other government processes or is the process going through the motions of participation. I recommend it to citizen advocates because Slow Democracy posits models of citizens involvement and influence that does not wait for 11th hour crisis and advocacy. Finally, I recommend Slow Democracy for the many citizens who feel their democratic involvement is limited largely to casting ballots. The book recognizes that although citizens are very busy these days and their time needs to be used wisely, they possess great wisdom that is too often missing from political decisions. There are models for involvement that will improve communities and deepen individuals' lives.
January 25, 2025
Wonderful beautiful useful book, aimed at American readers but relevant everywhere. Local democracy as (potentially) creative collective problem solving rather than a competitive game. This could save the world. However a lot of people are addicted to games and winning, which releases addictive neurochemicals much like orgasm, how do you break the addiction? Guide people to the middle path away from the rare short lived extremes ecstatic winning and pain of loosing.
Describes how the rise experts has hurt democracy, experts narrow focus is often dangerous, in fact many scientists have been found to be strong in autistic traits, which means both narrow focus and reduced empathy. I've read elsewhere mentalizing based therapy shows promise in treating high functioning autism but the best way transcend the limits of experts is creative collaboration, many working as one, individuals too can learn to look at the big picture, the whole or multifaceted thinking too. I think techniques of mentalizing based therapy, which also treat narcissism and psychopathy could be incorporated into slow democracy.
Very very interesting descriptions of town meetings in Vermont and New England, does seem pretty ideal, or close to it with a bit of work, but they have been there since before the American revolution, not really anything specific on how to get there where it doesn't exist.
They say big government purports to be better because it is more efficient. I'm not sure that's the real reason people pursue big government, like other apes we have an instinct for dominance, when we are dominant we feel good, or great, being powerful over lots of people feels good, releases addictive neurochemicals, at least if you have no guilt, I thinks that's the real reason it exists. We can transcend the instinct for dominance, we do it when we share footpath or a bus, we can do it in politics, though some will need help or therapy.
I think participatory, deliberative democracy may be the only real basis for genuine community because it involves everyone, work, school, trade, art, leisure activities don't have that.
I found the book fairly hard to read, that is definitely partly because I've gotten used to computer reading, reading little bits of info at a time, not extended passages, I find now days to read a book I can't do it at home with competition from computer, have to go to pub or cafe to read a book. Not sure social change is going to come from books much anymore, but not sure the net is much better, more of an addictive drug. Going out into your community and doing things may be the only way.
Describes how the rise experts has hurt democracy, experts narrow focus is often dangerous, in fact many scientists have been found to be strong in autistic traits, which means both narrow focus and reduced empathy. I've read elsewhere mentalizing based therapy shows promise in treating high functioning autism but the best way transcend the limits of experts is creative collaboration, many working as one, individuals too can learn to look at the big picture, the whole or multifaceted thinking too. I think techniques of mentalizing based therapy, which also treat narcissism and psychopathy could be incorporated into slow democracy.
Very very interesting descriptions of town meetings in Vermont and New England, does seem pretty ideal, or close to it with a bit of work, but they have been there since before the American revolution, not really anything specific on how to get there where it doesn't exist.
They say big government purports to be better because it is more efficient. I'm not sure that's the real reason people pursue big government, like other apes we have an instinct for dominance, when we are dominant we feel good, or great, being powerful over lots of people feels good, releases addictive neurochemicals, at least if you have no guilt, I thinks that's the real reason it exists. We can transcend the instinct for dominance, we do it when we share footpath or a bus, we can do it in politics, though some will need help or therapy.
I think participatory, deliberative democracy may be the only real basis for genuine community because it involves everyone, work, school, trade, art, leisure activities don't have that.
I found the book fairly hard to read, that is definitely partly because I've gotten used to computer reading, reading little bits of info at a time, not extended passages, I find now days to read a book I can't do it at home with competition from computer, have to go to pub or cafe to read a book. Not sure social change is going to come from books much anymore, but not sure the net is much better, more of an addictive drug. Going out into your community and doing things may be the only way.
July 1, 2018
“Slow Democracy, Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home” by Susan Clark and Woden Teachout is a inspiring book for making positive changes in communities. The book sites numerous examples of how communities used several processes that brought citizens together in communities which allowed all voices to be heard and then decisions & plans to be formed that benefited each of those communities.
Although, the processes are not new to most individuals working in the area of community and consensus building and community collectives the book did show how these models have been effective in solving a variety of issues in communities. This book is not a “ how to do it” book, but I am sure those are out there.
Overall the book was a useful read as the the country faces uncertainty and individuals feel they have little control over outcomes. On a local level citizens have quite a bit of control in formulating protections for their community by using “slow democracy” techniques. Citizens feel empowered as their voices and ideas are valued, because they are invited to play a role in discussion, research, and planning the future of the community by solving a problem that directly affects them. Who doesn’t want to play a role in protecting the community’s schools, water sources, land use, food sources, and economy, etc?
Although, the processes are not new to most individuals working in the area of community and consensus building and community collectives the book did show how these models have been effective in solving a variety of issues in communities. This book is not a “ how to do it” book, but I am sure those are out there.
Overall the book was a useful read as the the country faces uncertainty and individuals feel they have little control over outcomes. On a local level citizens have quite a bit of control in formulating protections for their community by using “slow democracy” techniques. Citizens feel empowered as their voices and ideas are valued, because they are invited to play a role in discussion, research, and planning the future of the community by solving a problem that directly affects them. Who doesn’t want to play a role in protecting the community’s schools, water sources, land use, food sources, and economy, etc?
December 30, 2024
This is a really good dive on kind of the nuts and bolts aspects of local decision making, both how it has happened and how to do it again. I appreciate the examples and lessons to learn out of it and the authors humility in accepting that not every approach will work in every context all the time. It's pretty Vermontlichkeit which is sometimes annoying but that's fine, I'm glad the authors have a workable example in their heads.
The only piece of criticism I have, and this isn't fair so I didn't let it impact the score, but it is heavily implied a lot of times that Slow Democracy is a tool for NIMBYism. Like, I can totally see how the authors can and have used these ideas and criticisms of top-down government to whine about new housing being constructed around them. You'll know it when you see it. But all that is a story for another time.
The only piece of criticism I have, and this isn't fair so I didn't let it impact the score, but it is heavily implied a lot of times that Slow Democracy is a tool for NIMBYism. Like, I can totally see how the authors can and have used these ideas and criticisms of top-down government to whine about new housing being constructed around them. You'll know it when you see it. But all that is a story for another time.
October 10, 2018
This book was most successful when case studies or examples were offered as road maps. Two major critiques: 1) there were instances where “slow democracy” was referenced or merged in definition with “direct action democracy” which has its own unique history and trajectory in America and 2) the insistence that town meetings are beacons of democracy without considering the ways they undercut or underserve diverse communities due to their patriarchal or male-dominated origins (as communities begin to welcome new kinds of citizens it is likely that the equity of this form of government will need to be looked at more closely)
August 13, 2018
Loved the first 2/3!
Took a lot to get me through the last 1/3. Still worth a read.
Took a lot to get me through the last 1/3. Still worth a read.
February 20, 2013
"Rediscovering community, bringing decision making back home" is the premise of Slow Democracy. In America today, politics have become increasingly polarized, especially on the national level. However, some communities are discovering that by bridging political divides and working together through a deliberative process, they can make decisions that benefit their entire community. The book is well written and thoughtful, citing many studies on how people think and receive information and how deliberation and story-telling can change perceptions. Highly recommended.
Quotes:
A group of self-described Republicans and Democrats were subjected to unflattering information about their own party's candidates. According to their MRI's, when subjects were confronted with information that contradicted their biases, their brains actually under-processed the information. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for conscious reasoning, hardly even fired.
Instead, the emotional circuits of their brains lit up, including those associated with regulating feelings and resolving conflicts. Effectively, participants brains used emotion to ignore information that they didn't like to hear but could not discount intellectually. And once they had used emotion to reinforce their preexisting beliefs, the reward centers of their brains lit up - essentially patting them on the back for ignoring information that contradicted their beliefs. (Chapter 5, p 83)
People say, "Think globally and act locally," noted Hermansen. "But I say you have to think locally and act locally, and the rest will take care of itself." (Chapter 5, p 104)
At the local level, the lessons of sustainability come naturally. If we are paying attention to the place where we live, we can hardly take a step outside without sensing the connections. The farm where the chickens lay my eggs has a place in nature; it also has an economic link to the downtown grocery. The factory nearby belches chemicals into my environment; it also provides income for my neighbors. Every decision we make, whether we sit on a planning commission, a community visioning task force, or an arts committee, affects at least one side of the triangle, and through inclusive local processes we come to comprehend the need to consider its connections with the other sides. A vibrant local democracy ensures that we interact with and understand the balance that creates a sustainable community. (Chapter 6, p 112)
One reason slow democracy is slow is that it requires a thoughtful engagement with citizens' concerns. Unlike executive power, where someone makes a unilateral decision, and unlike adversarial democracy, where people simply vote for their side of an issue, slow democracy requires that people understand each other. It is only then that they can talk clearlly and figure out the best decision - one that will last. (Chapter 6, p 114)
Quotes:
A group of self-described Republicans and Democrats were subjected to unflattering information about their own party's candidates. According to their MRI's, when subjects were confronted with information that contradicted their biases, their brains actually under-processed the information. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for conscious reasoning, hardly even fired.
Instead, the emotional circuits of their brains lit up, including those associated with regulating feelings and resolving conflicts. Effectively, participants brains used emotion to ignore information that they didn't like to hear but could not discount intellectually. And once they had used emotion to reinforce their preexisting beliefs, the reward centers of their brains lit up - essentially patting them on the back for ignoring information that contradicted their beliefs. (Chapter 5, p 83)
People say, "Think globally and act locally," noted Hermansen. "But I say you have to think locally and act locally, and the rest will take care of itself." (Chapter 5, p 104)
At the local level, the lessons of sustainability come naturally. If we are paying attention to the place where we live, we can hardly take a step outside without sensing the connections. The farm where the chickens lay my eggs has a place in nature; it also has an economic link to the downtown grocery. The factory nearby belches chemicals into my environment; it also provides income for my neighbors. Every decision we make, whether we sit on a planning commission, a community visioning task force, or an arts committee, affects at least one side of the triangle, and through inclusive local processes we come to comprehend the need to consider its connections with the other sides. A vibrant local democracy ensures that we interact with and understand the balance that creates a sustainable community. (Chapter 6, p 112)
One reason slow democracy is slow is that it requires a thoughtful engagement with citizens' concerns. Unlike executive power, where someone makes a unilateral decision, and unlike adversarial democracy, where people simply vote for their side of an issue, slow democracy requires that people understand each other. It is only then that they can talk clearlly and figure out the best decision - one that will last. (Chapter 6, p 114)
April 24, 2013
This is an important book that poses some fundamental questions about regional political culture and the relationship between the people and their government, I was so willing to accept what was written that I had to read it twice to regain any claim of objectivity. When we meet in our little township (ballpark around 600 voters) of Ryegate Vermont once a year, we the people sit as the legislature, we vote budgets, policies, resolution questions and elect officers to carry out what we, sitting as the legislative body, have decided for the coming year. It is a terrific system and satisfaction with local government is high. It takes a broad willingness to be an informed citizen, attend meetings and actually participate.
The proposition that Susan Clark makes is that this system of self governance can be exported broadly throughout the country. To paraphrase Alistair Cooke who commented on Jefferson, he had so much faith in the wisdom of the common man that one wonders how many he actually knew. Having lived in the plutocratic and racist south I have profound doubts that class and race differences can be so easily put aside no matter how mutually beneficial cooperation would be. There is a breakdown as well when sheer numbers overwhelm such a system in densely populated urban centers.
Yet, for these deep weaknesses, this may be the best hope for democracy in a world increasingly dominated by corporate authoritarianism. It is an article of faith for me that as the superficial differences that power structures use to divide us (religion, race, sexual preference) decline in importance that indeed this kind of thoughtful and deliberative community based decision making can assert itself in a broad form that can help us save the planet.
The proposition that Susan Clark makes is that this system of self governance can be exported broadly throughout the country. To paraphrase Alistair Cooke who commented on Jefferson, he had so much faith in the wisdom of the common man that one wonders how many he actually knew. Having lived in the plutocratic and racist south I have profound doubts that class and race differences can be so easily put aside no matter how mutually beneficial cooperation would be. There is a breakdown as well when sheer numbers overwhelm such a system in densely populated urban centers.
Yet, for these deep weaknesses, this may be the best hope for democracy in a world increasingly dominated by corporate authoritarianism. It is an article of faith for me that as the superficial differences that power structures use to divide us (religion, race, sexual preference) decline in importance that indeed this kind of thoughtful and deliberative community based decision making can assert itself in a broad form that can help us save the planet.
July 7, 2014
I love the concept of slow democracy being rooted in local communities with community members taking an active role in shaping public policy. The stories of the communities that have used slow democracy methods are inspiring. The librarian in me, however, cringed while reading yet another book on civic/ community engagement that completely ignores the vital role that public libraries can and do play in civil discourse. Libraries should be natural partners in slow democracy. They are rooted in their local communities, able to provide the unbiased information that is touted as the first element in deliberative discourse and are trusted community institutions. There is an entire section in this book on the importance of free public spaces, yet nary a library reference to be found. As the authors continue their important work, I hope they will consider the role that libraries and librarians can play in nurturing slow democracy.
July 13, 2015
So I've been described as a conservative, and in todays world of absolutes one would think a book on economics by individuals with a liberal bent would be off putting. It wasn't I read and enjoyed the entire book and found the examples and success stories brought hope to whoever might read them.
This is another excellent choice for individuals who wish to increase the quality of there community through positive economic action.
T.R.D.
This is another excellent choice for individuals who wish to increase the quality of there community through positive economic action.
T.R.D.
October 7, 2016
This book inspired me to rethink what frustrates me politically. It reminded me I live in community with people who just like me are frustrates out of personal passion and not intense hatred of their fellow man. I was planning to run for local office but now seek to form local coalitions first. Perhaps the running for office will slip from my radar.
October 27, 2012
Starts off very strong but tapers off in final 2 sections. There are only a few passing references to direct democracy (which greatly resembles SD proposition) which seems like an odd choice.
April 6, 2013
A more authentic prescription for a return to the deomocratic principles of our founding fathers - a hope for wresting ourselves from the radical right.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews