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This Is What Democracy Looks Like: A Graphic Guide to Governance
This is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). It is the result of a collaboration of educators and world-class cartoonists and is designed to help teachers who are working hard to prepare students to be empowered, informed, and civic-minded.
“It is hard to imagine a more important book to get in the hands of students young and old. Civics, democracy, and cartoons all in a non-partisan approach to raise people’s awareness of the real power that they and their communities hold. A funding opportunity that will pay dividends for years.” –Max Silverman, Executive Director, Center for Educational Leadership.
Contributing cartoonists includes Summer Pierre (Eisner-nominee and contributor), Hallie Jay Pope (founder of The Graphic Advocacy Project), Nomi Kane '11 ( contributor), publisher and cartoonist Kevin Czap, and James Sturm (author of the graphic novels and ). Lead cartoonist, CCS graduate Dan Nott ‘18, is currently writing and drawing a book about infrastructure called for Random House Graphic.
“It is hard to imagine a more important book to get in the hands of students young and old. Civics, democracy, and cartoons all in a non-partisan approach to raise people’s awareness of the real power that they and their communities hold. A funding opportunity that will pay dividends for years.” –Max Silverman, Executive Director, Center for Educational Leadership.
Contributing cartoonists includes Summer Pierre (Eisner-nominee and contributor), Hallie Jay Pope (founder of The Graphic Advocacy Project), Nomi Kane '11 ( contributor), publisher and cartoonist Kevin Czap, and James Sturm (author of the graphic novels and ). Lead cartoonist, CCS graduate Dan Nott ‘18, is currently writing and drawing a book about infrastructure called for Random House Graphic.
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Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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May 6, 2024When logic becomes the slave of hatred.
Four signs
In '47, Camus published an article entitled " Democracy and Modesty ", in which he says " the Democrat, above all, is the one who admits that an opponent may be right, and therefore, lets him express himself by accepting to reflect on his arguments ".
Camus directly links democracy with modesty, and in that article he clearly says that democracy is " the social/political exercise of modesty ".
In another article, he also says that " the democratic régime can only be conceived, created and supported by people who " they know they don't know everything ". This phrase remained deep imprinted in my mind, despite the passage of time.
Can we create " The Party of Those Who Are Not Sure That They Are Right " ? That would be my Party.
But.
From instruments of civility, logic and argument have become crutches of hatred. The conversion of logic into supporter of hatred is the most interesting current phenomenon. Of course, you'II ask me " How so ? "
Well, the first sign is the claim of exclusive access to the argument.
The second one - the obsession with revealing the " hidden" meanings of the opponent's words. How many times do we hear " In other words.. " ?
The third sign is the Haughtiness of knowledge. I don't think I need to explain myself here. This haughtiness is present in abundance even on this site, or especially here, where "knowledge " is often limited to wiki components, and less to authentic expositions.
Thus, contempt gives way to the logic of hatred.
Finally, the fourth sign is immediately visible in the conclusion : A reasoning of toxic logic put in the service of hatred always aims to justify the répression of the other.
Four signs
In '47, Camus published an article entitled " Democracy and Modesty ", in which he says " the Democrat, above all, is the one who admits that an opponent may be right, and therefore, lets him express himself by accepting to reflect on his arguments ".
Camus directly links democracy with modesty, and in that article he clearly says that democracy is " the social/political exercise of modesty ".
In another article, he also says that " the democratic régime can only be conceived, created and supported by people who " they know they don't know everything ". This phrase remained deep imprinted in my mind, despite the passage of time.
Can we create " The Party of Those Who Are Not Sure That They Are Right " ? That would be my Party.
But.
From instruments of civility, logic and argument have become crutches of hatred. The conversion of logic into supporter of hatred is the most interesting current phenomenon. Of course, you'II ask me " How so ? "
Well, the first sign is the claim of exclusive access to the argument.
The second one - the obsession with revealing the " hidden" meanings of the opponent's words. How many times do we hear " In other words.. " ?
The third sign is the Haughtiness of knowledge. I don't think I need to explain myself here. This haughtiness is present in abundance even on this site, or especially here, where "knowledge " is often limited to wiki components, and less to authentic expositions.
Thus, contempt gives way to the logic of hatred.
Finally, the fourth sign is immediately visible in the conclusion : A reasoning of toxic logic put in the service of hatred always aims to justify the répression of the other.
October 30, 2019
A largely non-partisan, single-issue examination of the American system of government, with helpful cartoons, graphics, and illustrations. It lightly breaks down the three branches (executive, legislative, judicial) and the three levels (federal, state, municipal). Checks and balances, limitations, the Constitution...it's a broad-not-deep overview.
The only message it pushes is Get involved. "Democracy works best when everyone participates." Even if one's only participation is educating oneself and voting reliably.
I liked it. It's appropriate for high schoolers and possibly middle schoolers. I'm going to give it to my read-ophile 12yo niece and see if it sparks a conversation.
The only message it pushes is Get involved. "Democracy works best when everyone participates." Even if one's only participation is educating oneself and voting reliably.
I liked it. It's appropriate for high schoolers and possibly middle schoolers. I'm going to give it to my read-ophile 12yo niece and see if it sparks a conversation.
September 15, 2020
An excellent explanation of how democracy works (and sometimes doesn't quite work) in the United States and what role we play within it. I love that it doesn't focus too exclusively on the federal level like most overviews, but also explains state and local governments. This would be a great educational resource for middle school students, but even as an adult I learned a thing or two! Definitely worth picking up a paper copy, plus an extra to give away.
October 7, 2019
Excellent, informative breakdown of the American political system and why democracy is important. This would be perfect for teachers of middle schoolers and high schoolers to use to teach U.S. government. It's also downloadable online!
June 26, 2025
Describes the structure of the US Government from the local to the federal level. Can easily be used as curriculum support for any US Government class or lesson. Makes a great addition to a school library.
March 7, 2025
A little cringe, but pretty informative
January 1, 2020
Essential reading.
December 27, 2019
A short and straight to the point guide of how government works and powers are separated in the US
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews