Democracy's Rebirth

Dick Simpson is a professor, former head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a former Chicago alderman and congressional candidate. His books include Corrupt Illinois: Patronage, Cronyism, and Criminality; Winning Elections in the 21st Century; and The Politics of Compassion and Transformation.

Foreword LORI LIGHTFOOT ix 1 Challenges to Democracy 1 2 The Rise and Fall of Democracy 7 3 Income and Racial Inequality 21 4 Money in Politics 43 5 Nonparticipation 61 6 Polarization and the Politics of Resentment 83 7 Corruption 105 8 Structural Problems 123 9 Cascading Crises 151 10 Deliberative Democracy 165 11 Spirit of Democracy 193 Acknowledgments 211 Notes 213 Index 243

"By highlighting the lessons of a generation ago, when US cities navigated the transition to multiracial democracy, Simpson has composed a self-proclaimed 'manifesto' to examine how what we have learned locally might help us nationally." --Perspectives on Politics "Democracy's Rebirth . . . is about politics, justice and democracy in a very down-to-earth manner. Simpson isn't only an expert on sausage-making. He also knows how the mechanisms of government and policy work-and how they should work-so he goes into the nitty-gritty of what has been going wrong with democracy in the United States and offers very detailed how-to instructions for bringing the nation's democratic process back to full health. But his ultimate focus is on the importance of individual Americans." --Third Coast Review "Simpson's book provides a thorough diagnosis for what's gone wrong with the country's democratic ideals." --NewCity "His proposals represent nothing short of the rebirth of our democracy on both a local level and the national level--values that I have personally fought for in my mayoral campaign and administration. Democracy's Rebirth: The View from Chicago helps illuminate both our past and our way forward toward a government and society that are more fair, equitable, and effective for all its residents, and a successful future that we can all equally engage and benefit from."--Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, from the Foreword ?"Dick Simpson, a friend and colleague for many years, writes from real-life experience. As a former Chicago alderman and political scientist, he knows what he is writing about in Democracy's Rebirth. He helps us see a better future."--Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky