First Person Political : Legislative Life and the Meaning of Public Service

Grant Reeher

ISBN 10: 0814775764 / ISBN 13: 9780814775769

Published by New York University Press Jan 2006, 2006

About this Item

Neuware - In First Person Political, Grant Reeher combats the public's alienation from and distrust of politicians by putting a personal face on everyday political life. Through moving personal interviews, Reeher allows legislators to tell their own stories about how and why they came to politics, the experience of serving in their state legislature, their decisions to stay or leave, and the many trials they face in the name of public service. Reeher contends that these politicians do have the public good in mind and often suffer great personal losses for their chance to represent the people and fight for what they think is right. His research also shows that those who choose to run for office often come from a background of deep community involvement.Reeher argues against public cynicism about our elected officials, and his profiles stir not only our praise and respect for these legislators, but also a greater belief in the democratic process itself. The excerpts from his interviews provide a rarely afforded intimate look at these politicians. What emerges from these stories is a humane and believable portrait of public servants acting on behalf of the public good, a portrait that should provide some comfort, perhaps even inspiration, for citizens concerned about the state of American democracy.

Seller Inventory # 9780814775769

Bibliographic Details

• Title: First Person Political : Legislative Life and the Meaning of Public Service
• Publisher: New York University Press Jan 2006
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0814775764
• ISBN 13: 9780814775769
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 229W x 155H x 15D millimeters 229 millimeters width by 155 millimeters height by 15 millimeters depth
• Weight: 299 grams

About this title

Synopsis

In First Person Political, Grant Reeher combats the public's alienation from and distrust of politicians by putting a personal face on everyday political life. Through moving personal interviews, Reeher allows legislators to tell their own stories about how and why they came to politics, the experience of serving in their state legislature, their decisions to stay or leave, and the many trials they face in the name of public service. Reeher contends that these politicians do have the public good in mind and often suffer great personal losses for their chance to represent the people and fight for what they think is right. His research also shows that those who choose to run for office often come from a background of deep community involvement.
Reeher argues against public cynicism about our elected officials, and his profiles stir not only our praise and respect for these legislators, but also a greater belief in the democratic process itself. The excerpts from his interviews provide a rarely afforded intimate look at these politicians. What emerges from these stories is a humane and believable portrait of public servants acting on behalf of the public good, a portrait that should provide some comfort, perhaps even inspiration, for citizens concerned about the state of American democracy.

About the Author

Grant Reeher is associate professor of political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He is the co-author of Click on Democracy: The Internet’s Power to Change Political Apathy into Civic Action.