“Every Philadelphian —make that anyone interested in democratic engagement and transparent governance—should read this book by a veteran Democratic Party committeeperson. A rigorous, completely absorbing case study of Philadelphia’s political structure, the book is both an insider’s guide and a primer on taking back the party. Frank in her assessments of the past and present, Bojar offers a seductive vision of a future party, transformed from the bottom up, and entreats readers to put down the book and make it happen.”
—Belinda Davis, Professor of History, Rutgers University

“Karen Bojar’s Green Shoots of Democracy is based on her deep knowledge of Philadelphia politics and on extensive interviews with Democratic activists. It is enriched by experience and by keen sociological intelligence. She follows her excellent explanation of the byzantine ward system of Philadelphia and its perpetuation with the patient struggles to bring forth what Paul Wellstone called the 'democratic wing of the Democratic Party.' Bojar shows with acute political understanding that there may still be reasons to believe in electoral politics—not as the essence of democracy but as an indispensable road toward it.”
—Magali Sarfatti-Larson, Professor Emerita of Sociology, Temple University

“Green Shoots of Democracy argues that the Democratic Party must be genuinely democratic and transparent on the grassroots level if it is to be a force for change on the national level. Based on interviews with progressive committeepeople and ward leaders who have been willing to talk candidly about their experiences working within the ward system, Bojar’s analysis of strategies to encourage voter participation and a voice for committeepeople is applicable to a broad range of political philosophies—a must read for anyone interested in grassroots politics.”
—Chris Rabb, Social Justice Activist, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Strategic Leadership, Drexel University, author of Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity