Read the book Kirkus Reviews calls “a well-researched, timely reminder of the centrality of civic engagement to the preservation of democracy.”
American democracy seems to be at a crossroads. Many Americans have simply given up on politics. They’ve become apathetic; they just don’t care. And, honestly, who can blame them? In a world of hyper-polarization and elite-centric political discourse, the average American feels pushed out, so they stop caring.
Democracy [In]Action documents the effects of apathy on civic participation. More importantly, it reminds readers that America and her future belong to them and encourages them to participate in the civic life of their community and country.
Loaded with original survey data and rigorous analysis of the data help tell a story of civic engagement in decline. The larger purpose of the book, though, is to solve the problem by encouraging citizens to participate. Designed to reach an audience of everyday Americans—both engaged and unengaged—as well as policymakers, students, and scholars, Taylor brings an educator’s approach to document reasons why civic engagement is important in order to influence the reader to do their part. The encouragement provided is intended to overcome apathy—to get the reader to care—and to remedy alienation—to remind the reader that this is their country, too. It is also designed to spur policymakers to action by encouraging them to do their part to increase civic participation. Democracy [In]Action aims to make democracy work for all of us by reminding readers that it takes all of us to make democracy work.
Table of contents
Get a look at all of the content covered in the book. Everything you need to know is inside.
Chapters
1
Introduction
2
Registration and Voting
3
Campaign Activities
4
Responding to Polls
5
Petitioning the Government
6
Jury Service
7
Conclusion
About the author
Travis N. Taylor, Ph.D.
Travis N. Taylor, Ph.D., is the Senior Market Research Manager at the Center for Excellence in Polling, a project of the non-partisan think tank, the Foundation for Government Accountability. He is also the President and Chief Research Officer at Strategic Insights Research, LLC, a professional research group that works in polling, trial consulting, and market research for faith-based organizations and businesses. He has previously worked as a campaign manager, campaign consultant, state legislative aide, congressional legislative correspondent, and university instructor. He has managed or consulted for more than 80 political campaigns, dozens of trials in both state and federal courts, and has conducted more than 350 public opinion research projects.
Advance praise for Democracy [In]Action
★★★★★
“This book is a timely reminder that civic duties remain vital—even when they feel inconvenient or undervalued. Blending research, history, and inspiring stories, it motivates readers to roll up their sleeves and get involved. If you’re looking for both encouragement and practical guidance to make a difference in American democracy, this book delivers.”
– Hon. Mark R. Kennedy, Former U.S. Representative, President Emeritus, University of Colorado, and Founding Director of Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition
★★★★★
“Having been in the trenches of picking over 500 juries over 40 years, I have seen first-hand the increased apathy Americans have toward their government and their own role in making sure it is fully functional, serving the people. Dr. Taylor’s analyses and recommendations are spot on. I hope the reader will heed the doctor’s advice and find their path to get engaged.”
– J. Lee Meihls, Ph.D., Trial Consultant, Executive Vice President, DecisionQuest, and Author of Handicapping the Handicapped: Decision Making in Students’ Educational Careers
★★★★★
“Democracy (In)Action highlights something I’ve seen both in my classroom and in my own family: civic engagement is something that must be learned and practiced if we wish to continue to create a more perfect union. This book is yet another reminder that none of us are truly passive observers of politics, but rather we can either be more or less capable participants. With clarity and optimism, Dr. Taylor shows how we can all take small, practical steps to move from apathy to agency and why doing so is desperately important for the next generation.”
– Lindsey Cormack, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It)
Democracy (In)Action 