Democracy in Our America: Can We Still Govern Ourselves?

Paul W. Kahn's book explores how national politics enters a small New England town, killingworth,Connecticut, and how volunteering,not voting,is under existential threat due to changes in civil society, commerce, employment, and public opinion formation. To save democracy, we need to find ways of matching opportunities for participation to the ways we live our lives today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

One of America's most renowned political theorists delves into the intriguing phenomenon of national politics encroaching upon a small New England town. Following the elections of 2016 and, even more significantly, 2020, a growing number of citizens became concerned about the profound economic and cultural divisions that were causing significant disruptions in American politics. They pondered, "What is happening to us?" In his insightful exploration, Paul W. Kahn examines these fundamental shifts as they manifest in his beloved hometown of Killingworth, Connecticut, a place he has called home for twenty-five years. Kahn's inquiry serves as the foundation for a democratic theory that centers around the act of volunteering, rather than voting. However, this crucial aspect of civic engagement faces an existential threat in today's world. Changes in civil society, commerce, employment, and public opinion formation have led to the isolation of families from one another and their communities. Even middle-class families struggle under the weight of financial stress, uncertainty about their children's future, and the absence of support from civil society. Local media outlets have vanished, leaving residents with limited access to information and disinterest in volunteering. Under these challenging circumstances, national polarization enters local politics, transforming it into yet another arena for national conflict. In his conclusion, Kahn emphasizes the urgent need to find ways to match opportunities for participation with the realities of modern life. He argues that to safeguard our democracy, we must find ways to reconnect individuals and communities, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and engagement. By valuing and nurturing volunteering, we can create a more inclusive and resilient society that is better equipped to address the complex challenges of our time.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300257427