Reviews

Deciding for Ourselves: The Promise of Direct Democracy by Cindy Milstein

andreanyday's review

5.0

Every radical should move this up on their reading list. Think of the best utopian/speculative fiction novel you love and then read this because all of the scenarios in here are reality. This was an easy read that had left me feeling full of inspiration and fortitude to build a new future.

dogearreads's review

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

mad_taylh's review

challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

"...As writer James Baldwin offered us in 1964, we promise and then demonstrate to each other that even if we 'can’t change the world always,' we all have the capacity to do something 'to make life a little more human.'” (Cindy Milstein in The Promise of Dignified Lives)  

for_esme_with_love's review

5.0

Cindy Milstein and the contributors of this collection provide a comprehensive picture of real examples of direct democracy currently underway in a wide range of contexts. Once we see these examples of people deciding for themselves all over the globe, we begin to recognize this possibility for ourselves. This isn't some far away ideal - it can be possible and even desirable right now. These essays are extremely readable and cover the joys and challenges of navigating the needs of one another while under the oppressive shadow of the State.

I read this anthology for a book club and it was such a great starting point for conversations around envisioning the kinds of relationships and community power we want to build. Especially given how the pandemic has exacerbated the powerlessness and isolation many of us have been feeling for a long time, this kind of connection felt so comforting and meaningful!

willow's review

challenging hopeful slow-paced

4.0