With the U.S. elections approaching, you may be having a lot of conversations about preferences and making the best decisions. To conduct a productive conversation with someone, it is important to educate yourself first. Here is a reading list of books about democracy in its various forms to get you started.
What Makes a Democracy?
Equality in Voting and Inclusion
Everyone has a right to vote, and effective participation in the government is the cornerstone of every democracy. The voter turnout in countries seems like a straightforward metric to assess, but is actually a complex number that is not truly representational. Many voters miss out on a chance to vote because of various dated laws or other forms of voter suppression. Here are some books on democracy to read as a refresher.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE
Another cornerstone of democracy is accountability. While the election may be won, the people who voted for them have the power to retract their support. Most democratic governments have checks and balances in place to help people voice their discontent. Sometimes all these checks and balances falter. Here are two works exploring why they tread a thin line.
A Brief History of Present Day Democracy
What’s Next for Democracy?
We have assessed where we are, now how do we move forward? We stay hopeful, we do the work of educating anyone and everyone, and we vote. These books on the future of democracy show us how. If you are looking for more books on democracy or American politics, find some great picks here. Now is the time to make your voices heard, and read up on why it’s more important than ever, here.
