Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public

James Stewart (J.D.M.) speaks with Peter MacLeod and Richard Johnson about their book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public.

Democracy’s Second Act is a smart, story-driven blueprint for how democracies can move beyond gridlock and cynicism by giving ordinary citizens real power between elections. Drawing on vivid case studies from Ireland, Canada, France, and beyond, MacLeod and Johnson show how new democratic institutions are already revitalizing politics and creating fresh opportunities for reform-minded leaders. Lively, hopeful, and grounded in practice as well as theory, it’s perfect for readers who are looking for clear, engaging ideas about how democracy can evolve.

Peter MacLeod is the founder and principal of MASS LBP, where for nearly two decades he has been at the forefront of democratic innovation championing a new style of politics rooted in deliberation and shared power. A trusted advisor to governments at all levels, he is one of Canada’s leading voices on democracy, civic trust, and active citizenship.

Richard Johnson is a former journalist and current policy director at MASS LBP. His writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The Walrus, Reader’s Digest, This Magazine, The New Quarterly, and many others. A former Fellow in Literary Journalism at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, he was also a longtime writer for the award-winning podcast Trailblazers, with Walter Isaacson.

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