What do you think?
Rate this book
One Way Forward: The Outsider’s Guide to Fixing the Republic
Something is clearly rotten in our Republic. Americans have lost faith in their politicians to a greater degree than ever, resigning themselves to “the best Congress money can buy,” as the comic Will Rogers once put it. It doesn’t matter whether they are Democrats or Republicans, people are disillusioned and angry as hell. They feel like outsiders in their own nation, powerless over their own lives, blocked from having a real voice in how they are governed.
But all of this can change—we have the power. Lawrence Lessig, the renowned Harvard Law School professor, political activist, and author of the bestselling “Republic, Lost,” presents a clear-eyed, bipartisan manifesto for revolution just when we need it the most. “One Way Forward” is a rousing, eloquent, and ultimately optimistic call to action for Americans of all political persuasions. Notable in these viciously partisan times, Lessig pitches his address equally to Occupy Wall Streeters, Tea Party Patriots, independents, anarchists, and baffled citizens of the American middle. Despite our serious political differences, he argues, we can—and must—change the system for the better.
At the core of our government, Lessig says, is “a legal corruption.” In other money. The job of politics has been left to a tiny slice of Americans who dominate campaign finance and exert a disproportionate influence on lawgivers as a result. This, he writes, “is a dynamic that would be obvious to Tony Soprano or Michael Corleone but that is sometimes obscure to political a protection racket that flourishes while our Republic burns.”
“We don’t need to destroy wealth,” Lessig declares. “We need to destroy the ability of wealth to corrupt our politics.”
With the common-sense idealism of his hero, Henry David Thoreau, Lessig shows how Americans can take back their country, and he provides a concrete and surprisingly practical set of instructions for doing it.
In a season where Americans are poised between the hope for real change and the fear that, once again, they won’t get it, One Way Forward charts a course to a thrillingly new American future in which every citizen has a voice that matters, no matter how fat his or her wallet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lawrence Lessig is the director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. His most recent book is “Republic, Lost”, an attack on the destructive influence of special-interest money on American politics. He is also the author of “Code and other Laws of Cyberspace,” “The Future of Ideas,” “Free Culture,” “ Version 2.0,” and “ Making Art and Culture Thrive in the Hybrid Economy.” He is a founding board member of Creative Commons and serves on the board of Maplight.
But all of this can change—we have the power. Lawrence Lessig, the renowned Harvard Law School professor, political activist, and author of the bestselling “Republic, Lost,” presents a clear-eyed, bipartisan manifesto for revolution just when we need it the most. “One Way Forward” is a rousing, eloquent, and ultimately optimistic call to action for Americans of all political persuasions. Notable in these viciously partisan times, Lessig pitches his address equally to Occupy Wall Streeters, Tea Party Patriots, independents, anarchists, and baffled citizens of the American middle. Despite our serious political differences, he argues, we can—and must—change the system for the better.
At the core of our government, Lessig says, is “a legal corruption.” In other money. The job of politics has been left to a tiny slice of Americans who dominate campaign finance and exert a disproportionate influence on lawgivers as a result. This, he writes, “is a dynamic that would be obvious to Tony Soprano or Michael Corleone but that is sometimes obscure to political a protection racket that flourishes while our Republic burns.”
“We don’t need to destroy wealth,” Lessig declares. “We need to destroy the ability of wealth to corrupt our politics.”
With the common-sense idealism of his hero, Henry David Thoreau, Lessig shows how Americans can take back their country, and he provides a concrete and surprisingly practical set of instructions for doing it.
In a season where Americans are poised between the hope for real change and the fear that, once again, they won’t get it, One Way Forward charts a course to a thrillingly new American future in which every citizen has a voice that matters, no matter how fat his or her wallet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lawrence Lessig is the director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. His most recent book is “Republic, Lost”, an attack on the destructive influence of special-interest money on American politics. He is also the author of “Code and other Laws of Cyberspace,” “The Future of Ideas,” “Free Culture,” “ Version 2.0,” and “ Making Art and Culture Thrive in the Hybrid Economy.” He is a founding board member of Creative Commons and serves on the board of Maplight.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2012
14 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Lessig
63 books482 followersLawrence "Larry" Lessig is an American academic and political activist. He is best known as a proponent of reduced legal restrictions on copyright, trademark, and radio frequency spectrum, particularly in technology applications.
He is a director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University and a professor of law at Harvard Law School. Prior to rejoining Harvard, he was a professor of law at Stanford Law School and founder of its Center for Internet and Society.
Lessig is a founding board member of Creative Commons, a board member of the Software Freedom Law Center and a former board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
He is a director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University and a professor of law at Harvard Law School. Prior to rejoining Harvard, he was a professor of law at Stanford Law School and founder of its Center for Internet and Society.
Lessig is a founding board member of Creative Commons, a board member of the Software Freedom Law Center and a former board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 28, 2014
Most of us spend our time debating politics from the left, right, or middle, but we all seem to keep missing the real problem that has inexorably lead the United States to become less of a Republic by the people, and more of an Oligarchy. This short book is Lawrence Lessig's call to arms to address the real problem in our current government - money.
Mr. Lessig makes an impassioned argument that failing to remove corporate money from the equation will mean all people, conservative or liberal, will always play second fiddle to the objectives oligarchic corporations; that we the people will never be able to be heard above the roar of big campaign donations; that we the people should pressure our state representatives to call for a constitutional convention and amend the constitution such that all campaigns must be publicly funded. Included in the appendix is a sample constitutional amendment.
I found Mr. Lessig's arguments in agreement with my own feelings of the core problem we face in restoring this republic to its full potential. If you care deeply about the current state of politics I highly recommend this small ebook.
December 9, 2016
Lesson is a liberal, but a smart man. A professor, he can also explain things.
Money in politics has been an issue and will become more of one. More people should read this book.
Money in politics has been an issue and will become more of one. More people should read this book.
August 3, 2018
Oh, the sweet tempting ways of old insecure males to remember of the good old times. Sad.
June 29, 2023
I think "Pollyanna-esque" would be much too kind.
March 11, 2012
Wonderful read into a plan to "Fix the Republic" by limiting the corrupting influence of money in politics. While Lessig is an acknowledged liberal he writes this book with an idea towards reaching all people, both those just as involved in the Tea Party as Occupy Wall Street or not involved in any political movement. His goal is to rewrite the rules that govern politics not towards giving one party or side more power but towards giving government back to "We The People" not the people who fund campaigns.
March 25, 2012
Lessig always intrigues. The mind behind Creative Commons applies his philosophy to politics. I agree with his philosophy of trying to strike at the root of the problem, ala Thoreau.
Attacking the political system from the outside seems to be a new and viable option for the disgruntled masses. Having just been slain by a local political party in my nascent political career, Lessig's words were my consolation.
Attacking the political system from the outside seems to be a new and viable option for the disgruntled masses. Having just been slain by a local political party in my nascent political career, Lessig's words were my consolation.
October 1, 2012
Get riled up! Get worked up! Yeah! Shit is BROKEN, yo. If you're feeling helpless, this will give you some concrete things to do, but really, more than anything, it makes you realize that things are totally so messed up we need not one but a couple constitutional amendments. You'll get no argument from me, I actually agree, and Lessig does a great job laying out exactly what they should say. But, you know, that's a tall order. It's all kind of depressing.
January 12, 2014
"“If we funded elections differently, politics would change. Overnight.” Lessig makes some great points and I think his recommendations would be a great first step towards saving our republic. I hope more people from both the Left and the Right will take the time to listen to his measured thoughts and look for a way to repair our political body that has lost touch with the people it claims to represent.
February 3, 2013
A very short read of suggestions on how to remove the corrupting influence of big money in politics. I'd really suggest anyone, regardless of political affiliation to read through this one, but I can't say that the book is outwardly good.
June 29, 2012
Ver interesting call to action. Focusing on fixing / changing the really big picture, before changing the detail. A call for all in the US to take action together to improve government by reducing / removing corruption of elected officials
February 27, 2012
This doesn't replace Republic, Lost. You still need to read that one. This has more of a guide or playbook feel to it of how the change will need to be implemented.
February 24, 2012
It needs reading.
February 26, 2012
Interesting, but would have benefitted from an even shorter format.
March 8, 2012
Essentially a long form essay. Interesting ideas, but need to go back and read earlier works that may provide more details
March 22, 2012
Read this book of you agree that our government needs to change at a fundamental level. DON'T read this book I you aren't willing to participate in that change.
May 2, 2012
Very well thought out and written. Makes me almost think it's possible.
June 12, 2012
SuperPACs are evil, and they will lead to our destruction. Also, the internet is awesome. The end. Hear, hear!
September 9, 2012
I'll write more on this later, and I loved the way this book is presented in a non-adversarial way... ~ stefan
April 22, 2013
I had a great time creating the audiobook edition of this work (to make freely available at http://commonvox.org ).
February 24, 2012
Tough to rate a book with an agenda - I give the concepts a 4, writing style a 2.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews