One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2010 "This is an excellent, evocative book examining often-ignored possibilities for American democracy. It adds richness and depth to analysis of American political thought and to continuing debate about the nature, content, and purpose of democracy."
Choice "[T]he book provides a fine primer on democratic theory in twentieth century America... [It] also offers a ... Read morebold and terse read, important not just for historians but also for political activists and thinkers."
Kevin Mattson, Journal of American History "The bulk of Demanding Democracy is an interpretation of 60 years of American radical democratic thought and activism through the lens of these concerns. And it proves a most fruitful way of thinking about this history, particularly because Stears is acutely alert to the 'fiendishly difficult' task that his subjects set themselves."
Robert Westbrook, Perspectives on Politics "Graduate students and scholars interested in the connections between democratic thought, activism and new social movements in the U.S. will find this book informative, if professionally unsettling."
Jeffrey D. Hilmer, Political Studies Review Show Less