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Democracy Rebirth: A New Perspective from Chicago

George Bernard Shaw

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Published in Democracy S Rebirth: The View From Chicago

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The Crisis of Democracy

Democracy is in crisis. Around the world, we are seeing the rise of authoritarianism, the erosion of civil liberties, and the decline of public trust in government. In the United States, we have seen a sharp increase in political polarization, gridlock in Congress, and a growing sense of cynicism about the political process.

What is causing this crisis of democracy? There are many factors, but one of the most important is the decline of civic engagement. Citizens are increasingly disengaged from the political process, and they are less likely to vote, run for office, or participate in other forms of civic activity.

Democracy's Rebirth: The View from Chicago

by Dick Simpson

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4460 KB
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Print length	:	257 pages

This decline in civic engagement is a serious problem, because it weakens democracy. When citizens are not engaged, they are less likely to hold their leaders accountable, and they are more likely to be swayed by demagogues who promise simple solutions to complex problems.

The Rebirth of Democracy

But there is hope. In Democracy Rebirth, a group of leading scholars and activists offer a powerful new vision for democracy that is both inspiring and achievable. Drawing on the latest research and their own experiences, the authors argue that democracy is not a spectator sport. It is a participatory process that requires the active engagement of all citizens.

The authors of Democracy Rebirth offer a number of concrete proposals for how to revive democracy. These proposals include:

* Making it easier for people to register to vote and cast their ballots. * Reforming campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics. * Strengthening ethics laws to prevent corruption. * Expanding access to quality education and healthcare. * Investing in infrastructure and other public goods. * Promoting civic education and engagement.

These proposals are not a panacea, but they are a starting point for a conversation about how to rebuild our democracy. If we want to save democracy, we need to start by engaging with our communities and making our voices heard.

The Chicago Model

Chicago has a long and proud history of civic engagement. The city is home to a number of innovative programs that have been designed to increase voter turnout, promote civic education, and strengthen community ties.

One of the most successful of these programs is the Chicago Votes coalition. Chicago Votes is a nonpartisan organization that works to increase voter turnout in low-income and minority communities. The organization has been credited with helping to increase voter turnout in Chicago by more than 10 percentage points since its founding in 2003.

Another example of civic innovation in Chicago is the CivicLab. The CivicLab is a non-profit organization that develops and tests new ways to engage citizens in the political process. The CivicLab has developed a number of innovative programs, including a mobile app that allows citizens to track their elected officials and a website that provides information on how to get involved in local government.

These are just two examples of the many innovative programs that are being developed in Chicago to promote civic engagement. These programs are making a real difference in the lives of Chicagoans, and they are helping to rebuild democracy in our city.

Democracy is in crisis, but there is hope. In Democracy Rebirth, a group of leading scholars and activists offer a powerful new vision for democracy that is both inspiring and achievable. Drawing on the latest research and their own experiences, the authors argue that democracy is not a spectator sport. It is a participatory process that requires the active engagement of all citizens.

The authors of Democracy Rebirth offer a number of concrete proposals for how to revive democracy. These proposals include:

Chicago is a city that has a long and proud history of civic engagement. The city is home to a number of innovative programs that have been designed to increase voter turnout, promote civic education, and strengthen community ties. These programs are making a real difference in the lives of Chicagoans, and they are helping to rebuild democracy in our city.

If you are interested in learning more about Democracy Rebirth, I encourage you to visit the book's website: www.democracyrebirth.org. You can also follow the book on Twitter: @DemocracyRebirth.

Democracy's Rebirth: The View from Chicago

by Dick Simpson

4.8 out of 5