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Insurgent Democracy: The Nonpartisan League in North American Politics
In 1915, western farmers mounted one of the most significant challenges to party politics America has the Nonpartisan League, which sought to empower citizens and restrain corporate influence. Before its collapse in the 1920s, the League counted over 250,000 paying members, spread to thirteen states and two Canadian provinces, controlled North Dakota’s state government, and birthed new farmer-labor alliances. Yet today it is all but forgotten, neglected even by scholars.
Michael J. Lansing aims to change that. Insurgent Democracy offers a new look at the Nonpartisan League and a new way to understand its rise and fall in the United States and Canada. Lansing argues that, rather than a spasm of populist rage that inevitably burned itself out, the story of the League is in fact an instructive example of how popular movements can create lasting change. Depicting the League as a transnational response to economic inequity, Lansing not only resurrects its story of citizen activism, but also allows us to see its potential to inform contemporary movements.
Michael J. Lansing aims to change that. Insurgent Democracy offers a new look at the Nonpartisan League and a new way to understand its rise and fall in the United States and Canada. Lansing argues that, rather than a spasm of populist rage that inevitably burned itself out, the story of the League is in fact an instructive example of how popular movements can create lasting change. Depicting the League as a transnational response to economic inequity, Lansing not only resurrects its story of citizen activism, but also allows us to see its potential to inform contemporary movements.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
392 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2017
This is a long, dense book on a subject I knew virtually nothing about. A friend gave it to me because he knows the author, and knows that I work on public banking. The Nonpartisan League is the reason that North Dakota has a nearly-100-year-old functioning public bank (the only one in the country) but, unsurprisingly, it was a lot more than that.
I knew at least of the existence of Minnesota's Democratic Farmer Labor party, but I don't think I had even really heard of the NPL, which is a precursor to the DFL. One thing I kept thinking about is how shamefully my east coast education treated what is now unfairly called "flyover country."
Lansing is a good writer. The book touched many of my interests beyond the public bank, including constructive responses to the polarization of the two-party system to farmer cultur to redbaiting (the NPL was an alternative to socialism, but weas nonetheless actively redbaited) to the role of women in building this movement to the shift from thinking of policy in terms of production to thinking of it in terms of consumption. Like all niche histories, it can get very detailed in ways that won't matter to most readers and didn't matter to me.
Not a book for everyone by any means, but I'm really glad it came my way.
I knew at least of the existence of Minnesota's Democratic Farmer Labor party, but I don't think I had even really heard of the NPL, which is a precursor to the DFL. One thing I kept thinking about is how shamefully my east coast education treated what is now unfairly called "flyover country."
Lansing is a good writer. The book touched many of my interests beyond the public bank, including constructive responses to the polarization of the two-party system to farmer cultur to redbaiting (the NPL was an alternative to socialism, but weas nonetheless actively redbaited) to the role of women in building this movement to the shift from thinking of policy in terms of production to thinking of it in terms of consumption. Like all niche histories, it can get very detailed in ways that won't matter to most readers and didn't matter to me.
Not a book for everyone by any means, but I'm really glad it came my way.
July 15, 2017
If you're from North Dakota or have ever been frustrated with the two party political equilibrium you should read this.
July 10, 2023
Eugene Debs once said that Labor wasn't represented by either political party. The Non-partisan League (NPL) realized that third parties don't stand a chance. Leaders representing farmers devised a strategy to get what they needed from the two parties.
In the early 1900s, farmers realized that everyone except themselves were making profits on their harvest. The NPL was started to ensure that farmers were treated fairly and received a just profit for their Labor. This is the story of their struggles, politics, and sacrifices. It is an excellent example for showing the relentless pressure capitalists are willing to exert to defend their markets.
This information is still relevant today.
In the early 1900s, farmers realized that everyone except themselves were making profits on their harvest. The NPL was started to ensure that farmers were treated fairly and received a just profit for their Labor. This is the story of their struggles, politics, and sacrifices. It is an excellent example for showing the relentless pressure capitalists are willing to exert to defend their markets.
This information is still relevant today.
April 3, 2016
An impressive book, most impressive in its discussion of the memory and legacy of the NPL. Along with Molly Rozum, Seth Tupper, Dan Churchwell, and Jon Lauck, I'll have the opportunity to comment more fully on the work in the following venue:
"The Non-Partisan League in the Dakotas: A Discussion of Lansing’s 'Insurgent Democracy'”
Dakota Conference, Saturday April 23, 2016 , 10:35 am – 12:15 pm
Center for Western Studies, Augustana College
"The Non-Partisan League in the Dakotas: A Discussion of Lansing’s 'Insurgent Democracy'”
Dakota Conference, Saturday April 23, 2016 , 10:35 am – 12:15 pm
Center for Western Studies, Augustana College
May 3, 2021
Almost every paragraph has an endnote. Some endnotes are paragraphs. The level of research is insane. Very well done!
February 22, 2016
Must read for everyone following the current election.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews