Democracy's Edge: Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life (Hardcover)

by Frances Moore Lappe (Author) "Out of sight of most of us, millions of Americans are satisfying their deep needs for connection with each other and expanding their capacities for..." (more)
Key Phrases: thin democracy, ballot line, best democracy money, United States, New York, Fair Trade (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Lappe's germinal Diet for a Small Planet (1971) introduced social activism to American kitchens by teaching readers to think globally as they cook lo-cal. Her latest challenges citizens to nourish democracy itself by rejecting the "thin democracy" of private interests and concentrated power in favor of "living democracy" fueled by engaged communities pursuing social justice in the public interest. Although the essential ingredient of Lappe's activism remains unchanged--the power of motivated individuals to effect meaningful change--this book is more self-help book than cookbook, its recipes replaced by bullet-point lists itemizing strategies for getting out of the house and taking control of one's latent political power. Although clearly leavened by recent political developments, this account offers little political analysis that hasn't already been well covered by left-leaning commentators. Yet its concrete, if anecdotal, examples of individuals' successful efforts in their communities offer practical inspiration in a way more theoretical arguments occasionally overlook. Readers ready to get their feet wet will also find the appended material useful, particularly the regionally organized directory of advocacy groups. Brendan Driscoll
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Review
"There is a small number of people in every generation who are forerunners in thought, action, spirit, who swerve past the barriers of greed and power to hold a torch high for the rest of us. Frances Moore Lappé is one of those. Her writing has done that again and again. Here, in her latest work, she brings the familiar eloquency of expression, simplicity of language, poetic and passionate, to our nation’s most urgent problem, the reclaiming of democracy."
--Howard Zinn, author, A People’s History of the United States

"Make no mistake, this is a very powerful book, and its scope and vision are huge. In this century you will see the job of citizens is to keep their mouth open and their capacity to be heard in every discussion that will shape their lives. This book about finding our voices where everyone concerned about democracy, are no longer merely passive onlookers but dedicated participants Democracy’s Edge, thank God, is beautifully written. It gives us the language we need to reclaim our democracy and for seeing where our real democracy lies—in the grassroots, in the communities where creative solutions to social problems are a-plenty. Please, please, please make this audacious book a priority, for it is written with the most careful and tender feelings about what we are all so near to losing – our democracy."
--Dame Anita Roddick, founder, The Body Shop

"America is lost in a gnarled thicket of bought politicos, corporate con men and media hucksters. But we’re lucky: Lappé has drawn the map that will get us out alive. Read it and get going"
--Greg Palast, author, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

"Our country is suffering from a serious 'democratic deficit.' a widening gulf between public opinion and public policy—and what ails America necessarily ails the world. A great many people do not like what is happening to their lives and their country, and what is being done in their name, but feel isolated and helpless, victims of forces beyond their control. With the clear thinking, plain talk, and penetrating insight that we have come to expect from her work, Frances Moore Lappé confronts these fundamental problems directly and constructively. It is both a guide to the perplexed, and a guide to action."
--Noam Chomsky

"Lappé is a pioneer in democratic thought and action."
--Cornel West, University Professor of Religion, Princeton University

"Extraordinary, Frances Moore Lappé, the brilliant woman who broke upon the story of global hunger with her Diet for a Small Planet, has now burst forth with a provocative and exciting new approach to reviving democracy. She reminds us that a robust and wholesome democracy is what delivers a good life to a nation’s citizenry. Her challenge to us is to reinvigorate our thinking, to take individual actions, and to participate every day as citizens. She offers hope for those of us who believe that civic society is at the root of a health government."
--Amy Domini, founder and CEO, Domini Social Investments

"Frances Moore Lappé believes deeply that true democracy is more than simply as set of institutions or a political system. It is the active engagement and voice of ordinary citizens in the decisions that shape their lives and communities. Democracy’s Edge is an exciting and hopeful account of the rebirth of a living American democracy as people connect with each other around the country to solve problems and build a better society. An important part of that rebirth is a new and growing movement by people of faith who are putting their faith into action for the common good."
--Jim Wallis, author, Gods Politics and editor, Call to Renewal

"I am invigorated by this book. Lappé’s idea of drawing the corporation into democracy’s fold is a challenge I hope all of us will take up as our own. There is no more important task for us to embrace today."
--Marjorie Kelly, editor, Business Ethics, and author, The Divine Right of Capital 

"With an abundance of inspiring, well-told stories, Lappé sweeps the disempowering myth that an individual can’t make a difference and demonstrates that democracy is a living practice. Essential reading for all who believe that democracy in America would be a good idea."
--David C. Korten, board chair, YES! A Journal of Positive Futures 

"Frankie Lappé has a gift for synthesizing complex ideas into accessible and inspiring simplicity. Living Democracy is an excellent primer on what our democracy was intended to be, where it went astray, and what needs to happen (and is in fact already happening below the radar of mainstream media) for democracy to come alive. Read, take hope and take action!"
--Nina Utne, chair, Utne Magazine

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; illustrated edition edition (October 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787943118
• ISBN-13: 978-0787943110
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #525,623 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stepping up to the plate, November 4, 2005

By	Mark Schultz (Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Democracy's Edge is about real people, and about making democracy real. From America's rural heartland to our largest cities, Frances Moore Lappe chronicles the actions of ordinary people whom she has met and interviewed, who are taking action to improve things in their communities. Democracy's Edge is a combination of practical information on issues, telling the story of various communities, and a hopeful yet pragmatic visioning. It reminds me of another great American writer and commentator, Studs Terkel. It is an important work for anyone interested in building a democracy -- a society in which people hold the power to govern.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Informative, November 28, 2005

By	Mary Ann Carr "Mary Ann Carr" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Frances Moore Lappe beautifully transcends partisan politics in this third book of a trilogy about making a difference in one's life and the lives of others (Hope's Edge, You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear being the first two; I highly recommend reading them in that order). It was exciting for me to read about people who have successfully moved beyond apathy and into action to better the world. Bravo!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RX for feeling like giving up on your hopes for our country and the world, November 28, 2005

By	Hilary G. Worthen (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an astonishing assembly of evidence that the news of democracy's demise has been greatly exaggerated. If you want to get excited about what your fellow citizens are doing out of the limelight of the mainstream "news" media, this book will hit the spot. Although Lappe has herself been a significant figure in grassroots progressive work for decades, and her experience clearly informs the conceptual framework she uses, this book is really about the work of an amazing array of others, and what can happen when we work together. It made me feel like cheering out loud.