10 Steps to Repair American Democracy

by Steven Hill

Overview

In 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy Steven Hill addresses the problems plaguing the US political system, outlining his ten-step program to improve American democracy. He proposes specific reforms to give voters more choices at the ballot box, boost voter turnout, reduce Senate 'filibustering' and end excessive corporate dominance. In the face of mounting cynicism about the US political system, 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy is a refreshing blueprint for how to resurrect the Founders' democratic vision. It will change the way you think about US politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612051918
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/30/2012
Edition description:	2012 Election ed.
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Steven Hill is the former Director of the Political Reform Program of the New America Foundation and co-founder of the Center for Voting and Democracy. His articles and commentaries have appeared in dozens of newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times,Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, The Nation, Ms., Salon.com, and American Prospect.

His previous book, Fixing Elections: The Failure of America’s Winner Take All Politics, has been called by author Michael Lind “the most important book on American democracy that has come out in many years.” He has lectured widely in the United States and Europe, and has appeared on C-SPAN, Fox News, National Public Radio, and numerous radio and television programs across the nation and in Europe.

In 2004, he managed the successful campaign to pass instant runoff voting for Board of Supervisors elections in San Francisco. “More recently, he also helped organize the successful effort to establish public financing for the city’s mayoral campaigns.

fairvote.org newamerica.net

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 Secure the Vote; Chapter 2 Expand Voter Participation; Chapter 3 Increase Voter Choice with Instant Runoff Voting; Chapter 4 Scrap Winner-Take-All Elections; Chapter 5 Direct Election of the President; Chapter 6 Overhaul the US Senate; Chapter 7 Reclaim the Airwaves; Chapter 8 Minimize Money’s Role; Chapter 9 Reform the Supreme Court; Chapter 10 Restore Faith in Government; conclusion Conclusion;

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the New Edition:

“I have used Hill’s book from the day it was published. Given the time constraints in an introductory U.S. government course, I cannot imagine doing justice to the topic of repairing our ailing democracy without Hill’s masterful, clearly explained summary of the American political system and what we as a polity need to do to bring it back to health. The revised introduction in the new edition is alone worth the price of the book. Hill tackles in a systematic way the entire range of ills afflicting our political process and how to fix them.”
—Elena V. Dorabji, San Jose State University

Praise for the Original Edition:

“We are fortunate to have 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy, to help us find our political compass. He identifies ten critical problems with our democracy and offers concrete solutions to each one. 10 Steps is a blueprint for a reinvigoration of our republic.”
—Hendrik Hertzberg, Senior Editor, The New Yorker, from the Foreword

“We know that American democracy is being run over a cliff—choiceless elections, screwy voting machines, brain-dead political debate, unresponsive government, etc. What’s a citizen to do? Here, finally, is the plan.”
—Jim Hightower, columnist and author of Swim against the Current

“Steven Hill’s new book is as practical as it is insightful, offering innovative ways to fix our broken political system. It’s an inspiring blueprint for reclaiming America. Read it, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.”
—Arianna Huffington, columnist and bestselling author of Third World America

“10 Steps to Repair American Democracy is a terrific book, a much-needed owner’s manual for the citizen-owners of government in the United States.”
—Michael Lind, author of The Next American Nation

Steven Hill on Pacifica's KPFK in Los Angeles

From the Publisher