"Democracy's Voices is brilliantly conceived, carefully researched, elegantly written, and captivating in its conclusions. It will establish Robert M. Fishman as one of the major sociologists of democracy in our generation. For those, such as myself, who have been skeptical of the importance of deliberation for democratic politics, he shows not only that it matters, but also how it matters. This book will be of interest to scholars of democracy throughout the social sciences, and it deserves a wide readership beyond the walls of the academy as well."
"At some point in the late twentieth century, contacts between organized labor and progressive intellectuals began to wane, with devastating effects both for progressive politics and for the quality of democratic discourse. As intellectuals turn from the dead ends of academic leftism toward the grimmer world of everyday politics, they will profit from the analysis of the ties between workers and intellectuals in this book. Robert M. Fishman weaves a rich tapestry of quantitative and qualitative evidence about variations in intellectual-worker ties in Spain, shows how the decline of such ties affects the vitality of civil life, and calls for a renewal of democratic discourse."
"Democracy's Voices is brilliantly conceived, carefully researched, elegantly written, and captivating in its conclusions. It will establish Robert M. Fishman as one of the major sociologists of democracy in our generation. For those, such as myself, who have been skeptical of the importance of deliberation for democratic politics, he shows not only that it matters, but also how it matters. This book will be of interest to scholars of democracy throughout the social sciences, and it deserves a wide readership beyond the walls of the academy as well."—Ian Shapiro, Yale University
"Theoretically original, empirically rigorous, and contextually rich, Robert M. Fishman's book offers a provocative new perspective on the social underpinnings of effective democracy. It will attract a broad readership and enrich debates within and beyond academia."—Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, Harvard University, and author of Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management in American Civic Life
"At some point in the late twentieth century, contacts between organized labor and progressive intellectuals began to wane, with devastating effects both for progressive politics and for the quality of democratic discourse. As intellectuals turn from the dead ends of academic leftism toward the grimmer world of everyday politics, they will profit from the analysis of the ties between workers and intellectuals in this book. Robert M. Fishman weaves a rich tapestry of quantitative and qualitative evidence about variations in intellectual-worker ties in Spain, shows how the decline of such ties affects the vitality of civil life, and calls for a renewal of democratic discourse."—Sidney Tarrow, Cornell University
"What guarantees the quality of democratic systems in contexts where institutions alone are insufficient? From detailed quantitative survey data, rich qualitative observation, and interviews with local labor leaders, intellectuals, and workers in Spain, Robert M. Fishman brilliantly shows how ordinary conversations between workers and intellectuals can shape the discursive horizons of participants, thereby transforming the nature of the public sphere and the salience of democratic rhetoric. This is a must-read book for those interested in the role of social networks and social ties in sustaining commitment to democracy, broadly construed."—Peter Bearman, Director, Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy, Columbia University
