ONLINE: Matthew Rothschild

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Eric Tadsen

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matt Rothschild.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director Matthew Rothschild has been observing politics in the Badger State for decades, including as the longtime editor and publisher of The Progressive. You can bet he has some thoughts on what has taken place in state politics in recent times. Rothschild's latest book, 12 Ways to Save Democracy in Wisconsin, is just out from UW Press, and he will discuss some of these solutions in a pair of Crowdcast events this week. Tuesday’s appearance, hosted by Mystery to Me, will feature Rothschild in conversation with Doug Moe (register here); and Wednesday's A Room of One's Own event features state Rep. Francesca Hong (register here).

press release: Wisconsin, once a progressive stronghold led by Robert La Follette and others, inaugurated far-reaching reforms that broadened public involvement in civic affairs. A wave of innovative social programs aimed at making the state more egalitarian followed. In recent decades, however, the Badger State has become a laboratory for antidemocratic maneuvers that have increased the political influence of the super-rich and corporations while decreasing the power of voters.

From tightening campaign finance laws and banning gerrymandering to rooting out structural racism and moving toward economic equality, each chapter focuses on one of the dozen reforms that are required to heal democracy within the state. Rothschild provides an in-depth rationale for each, dismantling the counterarguments against them and exploring the complexities involved in implementing them. He offers concrete proposals and action items for grassroots organizers and concerned community advocates to restore constituent control of state politics. This pocket-sized handbook is essential for politically aware citizens as well as journalists and watchdogs who see Wisconsin as a crucial battleground state and political bellwether for the nation.

Matthew Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and a former editor and publisher of The Progressive magazine. He is the author of You Have No Rights: Stories of America in an Age of Repression and the editor of Democracy in Print: The Best of The Progressive Magazine, 1909–2009.