The Democracy Owners' Manual: A Practical Guide to Changing the World [Paperback]

Jim Shultz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2002

"I wish I had Jim Shultz's The Democracy Owners' Manual when I started organizing and lobbying nearly 40 years ago. Shultz adds a distinctive voice to why citizens who take the initiative and organize will thwart and best the powerful. He engages the reader with language that is simple, wise, perceptive, and profound."-David Cohen, codirector, Advocacy Institute "A concise, thorough, and very practical book . . . Shultz equips his reader with the tools they need to understand the challenges of governance and economic growth and how to influence them effectively."--Harvard Political Review The Democracy Owners' Manual is a unique, hands-on guide for people who want to change public policy at the local, state, or national level. A combination of policy and advocacy basics, the book offers a clear presentation of the issues and debates activists are likely to encounter as well as a lucid, example-rich guide to effective strategies and actions. Newcomers and veteran activists alike will find this book an invaluable treasure chest of ideas and stimulating stories to help them tackle the issues they care about. The Democracy Owners' Manual also lends itself for university courses in political science, public administration, social work, public health, environmental studies, and other disciplines that touch on public policy and political change. Jim Shultz is the executive director of The Democracy Center. Formerly an assistant to the California Legislature and a California lobbyist with Common Cause and Consumers Union, Shultz has trained thousands of civic advocates in the United States, Latin America, and Africa.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful first step for anyone who wants to be effective at protecting the environment, or fighting for economic and social justice." -- Carl Pope, executive director, Sierra Club

"Shows how you can practice democracy and participate in power while enjoying the experiences with your fellow activists." -- Ralph Nader, consumer advocate and author of Crashing the Party

From the Back Cover

The Democracy Owners' Manual is a unique, hands-on guide for people who want to change public policy at the local, state, or national level. A combination of policy and advocacy basics, the book offers a clear presentation of the issues and debates activists are likely to encounter as well as a lucid, example-rich guide to effective strategies and actions.

Newcomers and veteran activists alike will find this book an invaluable treasure chest of ideas and stimulating stories to help them tackle the issues they care about. The Democracy Owners' Manual also lends itself for university courses in political science, public administration, social work, public health, environmental studies, and other disciplines that touch on public policy and political change.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (February 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813530385
• ISBN-13: 978-0813530383
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Are you a beginning organizer, activist, or advocate?, October 10, 2002

By 

Jamie Allison "jallisonhope" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Democracy Owners' Manual: A Practical Guide to Changing the World (Paperback)

If you are a novice at organizing people around important community issues, this is a good book for you. This book can be used as a "how to" guide for those seeking to put together advocacy campaings. If you want to change something in the world or in your community, this book is a good place to start. For more seasoned organizers, this book is review, but it is a good resource to have around your home or office. Jim Shultz has been doing this work for a long time and he lays out strategies that WORK in a manner that is helpful and repectful. The book is also easy to read- no complicated jargon.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Understand Democracy  Then Change the World!, April 5, 2003

By 

Maximillian Ben Hanan (Sacramento, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Democracy Owners' Manual: A Practical Guide to Changing the World (Library Binding)

I'm in the education field and one of my reoccurring irritations is that when I go to conferences, I constantly hear about how ...racist, "fill-in-the-blank-with-evil-adjective" the government of the United States is. I am sometimes drawn into these conversations and what I find out the majority of the time is that the same people complaining have no idea how our government works or how to change it. These same people often feel that loudly complaining will solve their differences. Then I start asking these people questions about their knowledge of government like "Do you know who your congressman is?" or "Do you know how Congress works?" What I usually get back is dirty looks and incredulous attitudes. Then I explain how our democratic republic works and how they can put pressure on their appointed representatives. They're usually amazed and ask how I know such things.

I explain that a little education (what most people receive, but don't retain in their high school civics classes) about our government, country, and the history of our country can go a long way. Even something as simple as realizing what the three branches of our government are is a useful first step. Reading the Constitution can be a good second step. Books like this one explain some of the basic facts about how our government in the USA works and how to participate in it (other than just voting).

Perhaps the most important part of learning about the government and history of the USA is that it's OK to be patriotic. Too many radical liberals (and a few wacko conservatives!) think that it's shameful to be patriot. It's not. The USA is a great country and has much to be proud of. While the USA isn't perfect and has made some mistakes as a country, I always think of the final factor in this country's greatness is the large numbers of people who "vote with their feet" and immigrate here. Some people are so desperate to get here from countries that don't take care of or provide for them that they are willing to illegally immigrate here. That's, perhaps, one of the most powerful statements that can be made about the USA.

I highly recommend this book for those of you who feel that your vote isn't important or that you can't change your world. You can!

Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan

3.0 out of 5 stars None., September 22, 2011

By 

sunglow - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Democracy Owners' Manual: A Practical Guide to Changing the World (Paperback)

Arrived when expected. Product not what was expected. Order 'used - like new' received 'used - acceptable'. Pages are highlighted and written in. Pages are bent. Majority of the book is water damaged.