Reclaiming Our Democracy: Healing the Break Between People and Government

by Sam Daley-Harris, Muhammad Yunus (Foreword)

Most people see working to end global poverty and ensure a stable climate as a fool s errand. Add to that the Citizens United decision and the flood of money rushing into politics and the despair grows deeper. But activist and author Sam Daley-Harris has helped thousands of ordinary citizens transform from hopeless bystanders to powerful advocates.

This 20th anniversary edition has a new chapter on the groundbreaking work of Citizens Climate Lobby, an increasingly powerful new advocacy group following the RESULTS model, and another new chapter on the Center for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation, a new initiative focused on spreading the original concepts developed by RESULTS.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone building an organization working to engage people deeply, this book was a great 'how-to' guide. For various reasons, we can't follow it completely but I found it very helpful and inspiring.

While I have your attention, let me encourage to connect to a group engaging in reform on an issue of your choice -- ideally reform, not electoral politics. To reclaim our democracy we need everyone to engage.

[Michael O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Harris created a program and a methodology for volunteer lobbying that accomplished incredible results, beginning with the the adoption of national and international programs to reduce childhood hunger and disease. I recommend the book as an example to anyone who has felt the need to influence the behavior of our elected officials but has not been satisfied with their results.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've become cynical about government, you need to read this book. If you care about an issue, but you feel powerless to change it, you need to read this book. If you're an American you need to read this book.

[M L · Rating 4 out of 5]

MWEG book club read for June, 2024

Audible audiobook

Strategies for engaging/lobbying for change, and helping people find their power.

[Meredith Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. The last chapters were the most useful for sure, as the author emphasized the importance of challenging volunteers and connecting with public officials.

[Mychael-Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never finished this one. I loved the premise and agreed with the first few chapters I listened to but the book just couldn’t hold my attention.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critical.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently reading Sam Daley-Harris’ “Reclaiming Democracy: Healing the Break Between the People and the Government,” I think this is the perfect book for anyone who wants to make a difference, gain insight on advocacy in a strong bipartisan structure, or someone who just wants help finding their own voice in a world that constantly tests your outlook and place. “Reclaiming Democracy” traces Daley-Harris’ journey in starting RESULTS, a now 37 year old advocacy organization committed to ending poverty, and supporting other organizations and people in their efforts to make change by working within their communities, working with the government, working with the media, and ultimately empowering themselves. He is honest, humble, committed, passionate, and amazingly authentic while beginning the journey by fighting hunger.

As Daley-Harris discovered, the truth is that most countries don’t teach their own citizens how identify their government leaders, much less play a part in policy making, but their voices matter. It’s a challenging process, but there are big issues at play. Most people want a hand up to be empowered, not a handout to resolve their struggles. As he emphasizes, it’s not because we lack the solutions to solve these problems, we lack the political will. Daley-Harris’ model with RESULTS, outlined carefully in the book, applies whether trying to fight climate change, improve healthcare, stop more children from dying prematurely, or raising awareness about other areas of inequality.

I read “Reclaiming Democracy” during and following the tumultuous U.S. 2016 election season. It kept me going and even motivated me to do and learn more. As he says, if you don’t know the issues, you’re not dangerous (to make a change). Let’s become more aware of the world around us, our shared vision for a better world, and raise our voices in advocacy to make a change.

[Cynthia Levin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives insight into the founding of one of my all time favorite non-profit organizations, RESULTS. Daley-Harris' vision for creating an impactful way for everyday people to connect with members of Congress has literally changed the course of my life as I now dedicate time every single day to advocacy fighting hunger and poverty around the world. I'm grateful for the work of all the pioneers he describes in this book from the early days of RESULTS when nothing was assured at all. It is absolutely remarkable what a movement he has created.

[Shaun Deane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful but I only read the first chapter and the last few - more of a hands on approach. The history and background was not compelling (for me)