ENDORSEMENTS

“This book describes how grassroots politics has withered and what must be done to revive it. A timely message for America in the 21st century.”

—Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley

“Dana Fisher’s Activism, Inc. is an extraordinarily important and incisive book, both readable and extremely well informed. An insider’s look at today’s civic activism and Democratic Party campaigns, it could well catalyze a national debate on the future and nature of progressive politics.”

—Harry C. Boyte, Co-Director, Center for Democracy and Citizenship, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

“This is a provocative and sobering account of progressive politics in contemporary America enlivened by the stories of the no-longer so idealistic young canvassers. A must read for anyone who believes that youth activism inevitably deepens one’s commitment to civic participation and who cares about the health and well-being of grass roots politics in the United States.”

—Doug McAdam, Stanford University, author of Freedom Summer

“What a delicious political irony! Progressivism, champion of the ‘little person,’ has organized its grassroots outreach like a 19th-century meat-packing plant, burning out young workers with low pay, long hours, and regimented, alienating working conditions. In this imminently readable, insightful volume, Dana Fisher brings us face to face with this counterintuitive state of affairs. Conservatives may draw some comfort from it. But as Americans, we should all be alarmed at the pitiless strip-mining of our young peoples’ idealism.”

—William A. Schambra, Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal, Hudson Institute

“An original grass roots critique as to why progressive citizen groups and the Democratic Party are failing to prevail and weakening themselves. Dana Fisher argues that you cannot outsource democratic movements. Listen up, national progressive groups, Fisher’s insights are lighting up the path to greater effectiveness. Democrats also would be well advised to put this book at the top of their reading list. That is, if they want to understand better how to win elections.”—

—Ralph Nader

department of sociology ▪ columbia university ▪ drf2004@columbia.edu