Living Democracy: An ecological manifesto for the end of the world as we know it

by Tim Hollo

Extinction is in the air. There’s a mounting sense of desperation in the face of ecological crises, gaping economic inequality and racial injustice, and a post-truth in politics that’s divorced from reality. But what if it were possible for us to not just survive, but thrive, in the 21st century? What if the solutions to our ecological, social, and political crises could all be found in the same approach? In Living Democracy Greens activist Tim Hollo offers bold ideas and a positive vision for the future. While it might be the end of the world as we know it, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In fact, around the globe, people and communities are beginning a whole new journey. Whether you’re a concerned community member, or someone who is already active in social or environmental campaigning, this book will inspire and inform you, and get you fired up to co-create a common, more equitable future. A living democracy. Hollo presents lessons for communities, organisations, political parties, and individuals, and a recipe for combining all these ingredients into transformative collective action.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Environment

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2022

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS. come on guys!! you can listen to it for free on SoundCloud, that’s how I read it. it’s so vital that this message is heard.
(also works as an excellent antidote to climate despair. a hopeful trail of torches lighting the path to a better future)

[Trenton Hoare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Hollo has written a manifesto that is easy to understand and encapsulates how we Green activists view the future and how it can be done!

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for an optimistic & realistic course for action now.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book fill of interesting ideas which are worth pursuing. Capitalism is failing us, eg. climate change. Socialism is not the answer either. We need a more participative democracy organised at the grass roots which devolves power upwards where necessary instead of a top down power structure.

[Nicholas D'Alonzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard not to compare this to "Full Circle" also a book written by a Greens Politician, written at a similar time for the same reason. Both Tim and Scott were feeling frustrated at the state of Australian and world politics back in 2019 as Australian burnt and started writing during a pandemic where it felt like anything could be possible on the other side. They were also definitely aware of each other's books.

However, Tim lacks Scotts theatrical flare, and it ended up feeling more like Theory than a book I was enjoying reading. Hollo does give a few examples of this Green Anarchist vision for the future working but with Ludlum's book you experienced them with his travels in an almost travelogue style.

There are, however, things I did take away from it. When the book was talking about the personal, about getting to know your neighbours and understanding them. There was seriously good advice about how to change peoples minds on big issues. Don't go in there to be combative, ask questions, dig to the heart of the anxiety and uncertainty. Too much is built on conflict when much more can be achieved by working together towards consensus. That reaching a consensus everyone is happy with is actually possible.

Despite this, I still ultimately left the book feeling sceptical. Perhaps we are just in darker times than when Full Circle uplifted me, both books ultimately end in similar places. As an introvert, the kind of organisational management that Tim Hollo's "Living Democracy" requires seems tiring. I have to talk to my neighbours daily? hours-long meetings to decide every little thing? a nightmare. Perhaps this is what dooms all attempts at anarchism.

[Margaret Jaggard-Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catalyst For Change

I am so impressed with the ideas and information presented in this book. The concept of transforming our democracies into cooperative thriving ecosystems is compelling and will be essential if we are to survive the coming climate and political upheavals. The examples of people getting together within communities to solve local problems in different parts of the world is inspirational. Having read the book throughly twice, I recommend this book to anyone who would hope for a better future world in which we all have the opportunity to thrive.

[Mardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought provoking read and so timely. We so need ‘transformational change’ yet I’m frustrated by the fact Australian couldn’t even vote yes for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

I liked the sweeping scope of the book - emphasising the interconnectedness of issues. For example; intimate violence is not unrelated to state violence; that increasingly criminalising climate protests is basically anti-democratic; that economic reform such as a universal basic income would give us time to “do democracy”.

Big ideas. Lots of positive examples. Can we do it? 🤷‍♀️

[Holstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the end of the world as we know it, but not the end of the world: Grassroots, people-powered movements are going to bring life back into our communities. Tim Hollo write with optimism and practicality about our world from an ecological lens, and presents a "many-festo" on how we can regenerate local neighbourhood connections and our relationship with nature through the commons. It's not just about community gardens; it's about swap-share-pay-it-forward Facebook community groups; it's about mutual aid in the face of climate emergency after emergency; it's about opting out of systems that serve the greed of a small minority at the expense of everyone else. There's no time left not to do everything, and it's up to us to shape the context from which positive change can emerge and evolve.

[WildWoila · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's the end of the world as we know it, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world." Provides an overview of the roots of the polycrisis (mostly separation & domination) and sketches out the shape of what must replace it: a grassroots democracy inspired by the systemic interdependency of ecology. Both reformism & revolution will just support the current, malignant system. Not much of it was new to me, but it provides a solid framework for many disparate ideas. Take the power back! (Disclaimers: I read this while low on brain juice, and Millie is thanked for her feedback in the acknowledgements.)

[Mel Berts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally write reviews but I think this is an essential book and I recommend reading. Very important concepts, some complex, discussed in an accessible way. I felt it was a little repetitive in parts, hence not quite 5 stars (if I could give 4.5 stars I would). Nonetheless, I agree this is a must read and have been forwarding it on.

[Isaac Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd mish-mash of conflicting tactics and ideologies that you would be more likely to find uttered at a folk festival rather than a refined and critical theory manifesto to inspire. Definetly more a work showing a snapshot of the current Greens activist movement rather than any profound spearhead work of it.

[Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book doesn't have all the answers but it does have a beautiful perspective that can be applied to all aspects of life. i wouldn't say i agree with tim's politics holistically but the way he encourages us to live our lives is simply without fault.