Local Democracy in Action

Catalog description

What is democracy? How do democratic institutions at the local level differ from those at the state or national level? Who has power in the city of Buffalo? What should individuals and groups of residents do together to improve local democracy and solve collective action problems? In this course, we will bring together tools from philosophy, politics, and economics to answer these questions. This course examines how residents, organizers, politicians and community groups work collectively to shape their cities and create positive change. Focusing on Buffalo as our living laboratory, students will explore how democratic participation unfolds on the ground through organizing, coalition building, storytelling, and strategic action.