The SSL ‘Book of the Month’ feature highlights a book in our collection that has been chosen by one of our Subject Consultants. This may be a recent addition to our stock or an existing item that we would like to share with you.

June’s book of the month was selected by Jo Gardner, Bodleian Social Science Librarian and Subject Consultant for Politics and International Relations.

How social movements can save democracy: democratic innovations from below

Donatella della Porta

Polity, 2020

Available at HM881.DEL 2020 but currently on display at our New Books Display Area.

It was chosen because because the author explores a range of opportunities for institutions to encourage direct democracy through popular participation.

Book Overview

Leading political sociologist Donatella della Porta analyses the role that social movements have long played in fostering and deepening democracy. The author investigates contemporary innovations in times of crisis, particularly crowd-sourced constitutions, referendums from below and movement parties, and she reflects on the advantages and limitations of these alternative politics.

Reviews

“An engaging read by one of Europe’s leading scholars of contentious politics.”
Sidney Tarrow, Cornell University

“This is an extremely important book by one of today’s key thinkers on democracy and a poignant rejoinder to those who have responded to the democratic crisis with elitism.”
Gianpaolo Baiocchi, New York University

How can I access it?

A hard copy can also be found on our New Books Display Area (around the corner from our Issue Desk), which can be borrowed by Oxford University students and staff. It is usually shelved at HM881.DEL 2020.

What would your SSL Book of the Month be? Do you have a favourite book in our collection? If so, we would love to know what it is. Add a comment below or email us.