A bold rethinking of the most powerful political idea in the world-democracy-and the story of how radical democracy can yet transform America Democracy has been the American religion since before the Revolution-from New England town halls to the multicultural democracy of Atlantic pirate ships. But can our current political system, one that seems responsive only to the wealthiest among us and leaves most Americans feeling disengaged, voiceless, and disenfranchised, really be called democratic?