Democracy in retrograde How to make changes big and small in our country and in our lives

Review by Booklist Review

T his upbeat, extremely accessible guide to managing political anxiety offers reassurance and hope, qualities not usually associated with conversations on the current state of government affairs. Sage (cofounder of Betches Media) and coauthor Amick (an attorney) bring the old saying that "all politics are local" down to the personal level. There is, here, a succinct but effective civics lesson followed by thoughtful commentary on how basic life skills (becoming informed, journaling, being present, limiting media consumption, networking) work well for navigating our fraught, divided political scene. Observing that action is the antidote to despair, the authors encourage developing written mission plans (Who do you care about? What opportunities do you want for them? What would your ideal community look like?) and offer a wealth of useful advice for developing a personal civic action plan: determining roles, making contacts, using effective communication strategies, and providing parental guidance, all firmly grounded in realistic time, budget, and levels of involvement considerations. The text also includes a book-club discussion guide and a bonus government primer. This slim manual offers solid information and affirmation served up in digestible bits.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Betches Media cofounder Sage and lawyer Amick debut with a smart, pop culture--inflected guide to civic engagement. Citing factors--the erosion of the "public square," the proliferation of internet echo chambers--that have rendered voting, participating in political advocacy groups, and other forms of political engagement more arduous while also increasing polarization, the authors counsel readers on how to break from the "hopeless spiral." Suggestions include consulting news sources that prioritize issues about which one is passionate; creating a "civic network" by joining advocacy groups and forming friendships based on political interests; and having challenging political conversations with friends and family (suggested phrases to de-escalate chats that get too heated include "I hear you" and "Tell me more"). Most valuably, the authors frame political participation as a form of self-expression that must be rewarding to be sustainable. While the tone is geared toward millennial women--there's more than one Real Housewives reference here--the pragmatic advice applies across the board. It's a solid guide for those who already feel overwhelmed by the 2024 presidential election news cycle. (July)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Two activists offer a comprehensive guide to regaining ownership of American civic life in an era of minoritarian rule. Early on, Sage, co-founder and chief brand officer of Betches Media, and Amick, founder of For Facts Sake, advocate for "civic engagement [as] a form of self-care," especially for individuals and communities struggling with what have become major ills for American society and politics in the 21st century: "individualism, socioeconomic stratification, and isolation." The advent of the internet and especially social media has not only fostered siloed communities of like-minded people and discouraged in-person interactions; it has also cultivated optimal conditions for the rise of oligarchs who have allowed corporate exploitation of the masses and who are themselves beholden to corporate interests through such avenues as dark money political campaign donations. The authors argue that conscious civic action is the way forward through all the helplessness and hopelessness that characterize our present political landscape. Toward that goal, the authors provide a variety of resources, including a personality quiz readers can use to determine whether their qualities make them leaders, givers, connectors, or creators; reflection exercises on civic interests; rules for political action; and a mini-tutorial on the structure of American government. In a "republic that elects its representatives democratically," citizens must actively monitor the issues they care about and the officials who hold office while networking with each other to fight minoritarianism and the isolating hopelessness it brings. The voices in this book, including Betches social media followers, in addition to the how-to format, suggest a primarily young target audience. Nonetheless, the authors' insights will undoubtedly interest anyone who seeks to revitalize the civic consciousness and activity of what they call the "Exhausteds…a mix of traditional and pas-sive liberals, moderates, and those who are politically disengaged." An uplifting and useful book of activism. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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