This book calls for turning local civic efforts into a broader movement to revitalize democracy and tackle issues like inequality, social injustice, political disconnection, and environmental crises.

Author, Peter Levine, critiques the decline of civil society, citing factors such as income inequality and geographical segregation. He stresses the need to include traditionally marginalized groups in civic efforts. He emphasizes deliberative civic action—listening, learning, and collaborative problem-solving—as essential to meaningful change.

Everywhere I go, both online and in person, people ask how to respond to the democratic crisis unfolding in our government. The most common answer I hear is “local community.” This book explores how citizen-centered politics can tackle complex problems through participatory democracy and civic engagement.

"Good citizens deliberate. By talking and listening to people who are different from themselves, they enlarge their understanding, modify their views, and develop a sense of responsibility for the whole community."

"There is no alternative to more and better work by the residents of a whole community."

"Engaging anyone who chooses to listen is a civic approach to strategy because it treats citizenship (membership in a community) as a sufficient condition and does not privilege status, expertise, or power."

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