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Green Shoots of Democracy in the Philadelphia Democratic Party
Drawing on the experiences of grassroots political activists from different socio- economic and ethnic backgrounds, Green Shoots of Democracy explores 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 endeavor—not as worthy as, for example, working in a homeless shelter or a literacy center. Green Shoots of Democracy argues for a more democratic, transparent party structure—one that is sorely needed to counter the widespread perception that electoral politics is dirty business rather than an honorable civic project.
Americans have long had a history of volunteerism; however, grassroots partisan politics is often not considered a worthy volunteer endeavor—not as worthy as, for example, working in a homeless shelter or a literacy center. Green Shoots of Democracy argues for a more democratic, transparent party structure—one that is sorely needed to counter the widespread perception that electoral politics is dirty business rather than an honorable civic project.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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July 8, 2024I’m free
December 18, 2016
This book is an excellent treatise on the state of politics in Philadelphia. With the recent conviction of Congressman Chaka Fattah, the call for progressive committee persons to drive the party forward is more relevant now than ever. The book highlights how open wards operate and some of the risks inherent in operating without City Committee approval. It should encourage younger people to get involved but also be a warning that change has been occurring at a snail's pace. The story of newly elected State Representative Chris Rabb is refreshing. The book featured Scott Wilds briefly. I used to work with him and never knew of his involvement in politics. The 2nd and 36th wards are mentioned extensively. The 30th ward trail blazed changes under Terry Gillen but she resigned to enter city government. I recommend this book highly for students of politics. It will be a lost art without new blood.
June 24, 2023
Green Shoots of Democracy within the Philadelphia Democratic Party is an in-depth, insider breakdown of the politics of the ward system in Philadelphia and the progressive, open-wards movement to democratize the ward system. Absolutely fantastic and eye-opening. As a committeeperson in the ward system myself, this was a necessary read to learn about hard-to-find context.
October 9, 2018
A great book for Philadelphians that sets the stage for a new push to broaden the Democratic Party machinery from the bottom up—from the wards.
February 28, 2021
A must read for anyone interested in local politics in Philly.
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July 12, 2024A zine about the wards.
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July 17, 2016Review
“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 Philadelphia’s political structure, the book is both an insider’s 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 Bojar’s Green Shoots of Democracy is 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 with acute political understanding that there may still be reasons to believe in electoral politics―not as the essence of democracy but as an indispensable road toward it.”
—Magali Sarfatti-Larson, Professor Emerita of Sociology, Temple University
“Green Shoots of Democracy argues that the Democratic Party must be genuinely democratic and transparent on the grassroots level if it is to be a force for change on the national level. Based on interviews with progressive committeepeople and ward leaders who have been willing to talk candidly about their experiences working within the ward system, Bojar’s analysis of strategies to encourage voter participation and a voice for committeepeople is applicable to a broad range of political philosophies—a must read for anyone interested in grassroots politics.”
—Chris Rabb, Social Justice Activist, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Strategic Leadership, Drexel University, author of Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity
About the Author
“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 Philadelphia’s political structure, the book is both an insider’s 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 Bojar’s Green Shoots of Democracy is 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 with acute political understanding that there may still be reasons to believe in electoral politics―not as the essence of democracy but as an indispensable road toward it.”
—Magali Sarfatti-Larson, Professor Emerita of Sociology, Temple University
“Green Shoots of Democracy argues that the Democratic Party must be genuinely democratic and transparent on the grassroots level if it is to be a force for change on the national level. Based on interviews with progressive committeepeople and ward leaders who have been willing to talk candidly about their experiences working within the ward system, Bojar’s analysis of strategies to encourage voter participation and a voice for committeepeople is applicable to a broad range of political philosophies—a must read for anyone interested in grassroots politics.”
—Chris Rabb, Social Justice Activist, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Strategic Leadership, Drexel University, author of Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity
About the Author
July 17, 2016
Detailed, comprehensive view of grassroots efforts to democratize the local Democratic Party. While it is very specific to Philadelphia's own quirky Party apparatus, there are lessons in this very readable work for other cities and organizations of all kinds.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews