Social Civics

Mel Hurtig turns his attention to the devastating impact that the Stephen Harper government has had on Canada, radically altering the democratic, social, and economic fabric of the country. He shows how Stephen Harper's single-minded pursuit of big oil and the tar sands, at a time when the world must take dramatic action to arrest climate change, has inflicted enormous damage on our country and international reputation.

An unflinching look at the aspiring city-builders of our smart, mobile, connected future. We live in a world defined by urbanization and digital ubiquity, where mobile broadband connections outnumber fixed ones, machines dominate a new "internet of things," and more people live in cities than in the countryside.

To have a thriving society, we need people and communities who are actively involved in civic life. For politicians, public servants, corporations, or planners to engage with communities in any positive way, they need to learn a new way of doing things.

Social psychologist Peter T. Coleman explores how conflict resolution and complexity science provide guidance for dealing with seemingly intractable political differences. Deploying the concept of attractors in dynamical systems, he explains why we are stuck in this rut as well as the unexpected ways that deeply rooted oppositions can and do change.

When discrimination is race-based, we call it racism; when it's gender-based, we call it sexism. Somebodies and Nobodies introduces rank-based discrimination - or "rankism" - a form of injustice that everyone knows, but no one sees. It explains our reluctance to confront rankism, shows where analyses based on identity fall short and, using dozens of examples, traces many forms of injustice and unfairness to rankism.

In 1987, E. L. Doctorow celebrated the Constitution's bicentennial by reading it. "It is five thousand words long but reads like fifty thousand," he said. Distinguished legal scholar Garrett Epps disagrees. It's about 7,500 words. In American Epic, Epps takes us through a complete reading of the Constitution to achieve an appreciation of its power and a holistic understanding of what it says. In this book he seeks not to provide a definitive interpretation, but to listen to the language and ponder its meaning.

In this sweeping and provocative work, political economist William Davies draws on a 400-year history of ideas to reframe our understanding of the contemporary world. He argues that global trends decades and even centuries in the making have reduced a world of logic and fact into one driven by emotions - particularly fear and anxiety. This has ushered in an age of "nervous states", both in our individual bodies and our body politic.

Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea is a powerful call to action for Koreans and supporters everywhere to achieve a new nation, rooted in a common past. In this Centennial Edition, which debuted on several bestseller lists including the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and Publishers Weekly, Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon presents an innovative way forward for the Korean Peninsula that at its heart is Korean led. Ultimately, Korean reunification is the only long-term solution to security, economic, and social problems created through a 70-year division of the Peninsula.

Is democracy in trouble, perhaps even dying? Pundits say so, and polls show that most Americans believe that their country's system of governance is being "tested" or is "under attack." But is the future of democracy necessarily so dire? In The Civic Bargain, Brook Manville and Josiah Ober push back against the prevailing pessimism about the fate of democracy around the world. Instead of an epitaph for democracy, they offer a guide for democratic renewal, calling on citizens to recommit to a "civic bargain" with one another to guarantee civic rights of freedom, equality, and dignity.

From the Women's March in DC to #BlackLivesMatter rallies across the country, there has been a rising wave of protests and social activism. These events have been an important part of the battle to combat racism, authoritarianism, and xenophobia in Trump's America. However, the struggle for social justice continues long after the posters and megaphones have been packed away. After the protests are heard, how can we continue to work toward lasting change?

Most Americans are likely to encounter the effects of government malfeasance or neglect close to home—from their governors, mayors, town councils, school boards, police, and prosecutors. In fact, deals shrouded in darkness are regularly made at the state and local levels, often the result of closed-door discussions between governments and industry without any scrutiny whatsoever from the public.

Some acts of courage never make the news, yet they are the quiet force that keeps the world steady. Quiet Valor: Everyday Americans shines a light on the men and women whose small, decisive moments hold families, communities, and entire towns together when it matters most. These are the people who rarely seek attention but whose choices create real safety, comfort, and connection in the lives around them.

Family Leave by Sage Ellison offers a comprehensive guide to transforming how communities approach family and medical support through paid leave. It addresses the critical issue many face when balancing the demands of work with family needs, highlighting how the lack of supportive policies can lead to difficult choices between financial stability and personal well-being. The book is a resource for those struggling with family leave challenges, such as confusion about policies, lack of advocacy in the workplace, and the need for clearer support systems.

In "Fund Community Safety: Effective Strategies for Violence Intervention and Local Change," author Sage Ellison provides a valuable resource for communities seeking to enhance safety and prevent violence through grassroots initiatives. As communities face challenges like finding reliable funding sources, implementing effective strategies, and navigating complex safety programs, this guide offers actionable steps for creating safer, more connected environments.

"Empowering Workers: Unionization and Card-Check Neutrality for Fair Workplaces" by Sage Ellison is a vital guide for employees and community leaders seeking to advocate for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. As workplaces evolve, understanding the potential of unionization and card-check neutrality becomes essential for creating positive change. The book addresses common challenges many workers face, such as lack of transparency regarding wages, feeling undervalued, and compromising safety in the workplace.

Voting for Change by Sage Ellison is a crucial guide aimed at revamping the American voting system to better reflect the voices of its citizens. Many people feel disheartened by a political landscape where their votes seem insignificant and choices are limited. This book presents Ranked-Choice and Proportional Voting as transformative methods that empower communities and enhance democratic participation. Ellison addresses common issues like frustration over uneven representation and the lack of diverse candidates.

"Building Trust: Achieving Police Accountability Through Civilian Oversight" by Sage Ellison addresses the critical gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency to foster trust. The book offers a roadmap for overcoming challenges such as poor communication, inadequate understanding of civilian oversight, and difficulties in implementing police reform. Ellison presents essential strategies for developing effective civilian oversight committees and understanding the legal frameworks that govern public safety.

"Restoring Our Vote" by Sage Ellison is a compelling guide that empowers communities to reclaim the Voting Rights Act and enhance democratic engagement. Recognizing the disillusionment many feel toward the electoral system, the book presents actionable strategies to combat the erosion of voting rights.

This is the ONLY study material you need for the current Citizenship interview exam.

Empathetic and excellent advice from one of our nation's leading Housing Authority experts, having served in leadership roles across eight major U.S. cities and one in Canada. In his book, Housing Humans- A Vicarious Memorandum, Gene first describes his early childhood and military life and details how his experiences led him to finding his ultimate calling in working to improve the lives of others via affordable housing. Gene later articulates his specific call-to-action for national housing reform.