xiii, 376 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : 21 cm

A refresher manifesto on the virtues and vulnerable core values of democracy by the feminist political commentator and author of The End of America and The Beauty Myth reveals how everyday citizens can understand and use democracy for the betterment of society

Includes bibliographical references (pages 371-373) and index

Part I. What is "America"? Not a country, a state of mind : Introduction -- Freedom is intended as a challenge -- Fake patriotism -- Fake democracy -- Part II. Core values : Principle one: We are required to speak freely -- Principle two: We have a duty to rebel continually against injustice and oppression -- Principle three: ordinary people are supposed to run things -- Principle four: Americans cherish the rule of law -- Principle five: America establishes no god -- Principle six: Americans deliberate with their neighbors; we disagree without violence -- Principle seven: liberty is universal: America cannot maintain an oppressive empire -- A new American revolution -- Part III. America: the user's guide : 1. Driving change : "Democracy commandos" / Curtis Ellis -- 2. Speech : How to petition -- How to play hardball once you have petitioned -- Become the media yourself : How to write a press release / Lisa Witter ; create the debate yourself ; Help frame the news coverage ; How to leak to an investigative reporter ; How to pitch a feature piece ; Radio ; TV -- Produce new media : How to create a blog / Elizabeth Curtis ; How to create a web video / Will Coghlan -- 3. Protest : How to drive a boycott -- How to take to the streets / Marjorie Cohn -- Staging a protest : How to be safe as you protest ; Arrest ; The permit system / Heidi Boghosian -- How to speak in any public context -- 4. Deliberate, community-build, and organize : How to start a political movement : Direct-action activism / Trevor "Oyate" ; Starting your own political movement / Raymond D. Powell -- Organize a town hall meeting : How to run a meeting / Wende Jager-Hyman ; Deliberate with your neighbors / Mary Jacksteit -- Become the leaders of America : How to start a nonprofit organization ; How to fund-raise / Stephanie Berger -- 5. Rule of law: create of change laws yourself : Initiatives and referenda -- Make every vote count / Mark Crispin Miller -- Organize a national hearing / Annette Warren Dickerson -- Expose government secrecy: a guide to getting government files / Lauren Melodia -- 6. Dismantle an oppressive empire: remake U.S. foreign policy : How to promote democracy overseas through investment / Diane Keefe -- 7. Understand how your system works : Overview / Curtis Ellis -- What is the electoral college? / Wende Jager-Hyman -- User's guide to the constitution and Bill of Rights / Steven C. Bennett -- 8. Wish list for the future : Direct democracy -- Voting / Curtis Ellis -- A twelve-step program to save U.S. democracy / Mark Crispin Miller -- Additional wish list items

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