Green Shoots of Democracy within the Philadelphia Democratic Party [Paperback]

Drawing on the experiences of grassroots political activists from different socio- economic and ethnic backgrounds,Green Shoots of Democracyexplores how self-identified progressives manage (or fail to manage) to work within a big city political machine. Although the book focuses on the work of progressives to foster democracy and transparency within the Philadelphia Democratic Party, lessons gleaned from their experiences are applicable beyond Philadelphia.Americans have long had a history of volunteerism; however, grassroots partisan politics is often not considered a worthy volunteer endeavornot as worthy as, for example, working in a homeless shelter or a literacy center.Green Shoots of Democracyargues for a more democratic, transparent party structureone that is sorely needed to counter the widespread perception that electoral politics is dirty business rather than an honorable civic project.Every Philadelphian —make that anyone interested in democratic engagement and transparent governance—should read this book by a veteran Democratic Party committeeperson. A rigorous, completely absorbing case study of Philadelphias political structure, the book is both an insiders guide and a primer on taking back the party. Frank in her assessments of the past and present, Bojar offers a seductive vision of a future party, transformed from the bottom up, and entreats readers to put down the book and make it happen.
—Belinda Davis, Professor of History, Rutgers University

Karen BojarsGreen Shoots of Democracyis based on her deep knowledge of Philadelphia politics and on extensive interviews with Democratic activists. It is enriched by experience and by keen sociological intelligence. She follows her excellent explanation of the byzantine ward system of Philadelphia and its perpetuation with the patient struggles to bring forth what Paul Wellstone called the 'democratic wing of the Democratic Party.' Bojar shows wlóÌ