The Next Form of Democracy: How Expert Rule Is Giving Way to Shared Governance -- and Why Politics Will Never Be the Same

by Matt Leighninger

Beneath the national radar, the relationship between citizens and government is undergoing a dramatic shift. More than ever before, citizens are educated, skeptical, and capable of bringing the decision-making process to a sudden halt. Public officials and other leaders are tired of confrontation and desperate for resources. In order to address persistent challenges like education, race relations, crime prevention, land use planning, and economic development, communities have been forced to find new ways for people and public servants to work together. The stories of civic experiments in this book can show us the realpolitik of deliberative democracy, and illustrate how the evolution of democracy is already reshaping politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent ideas, but book was too anecdotal. Instead, we needed actionable suggestions in an easy to skim and read format. Subsequent materials, that I've found, seem to have been based on the author's ideas relating to improving our local democracy's through more meaningful public engagement.