Overview

Many democratic societies are experiencing a crisis of faith. Citizens are making clear their frustration with their supposedly representative governments, which instead seem driven by the interests of big business, powerful individuals and wealthy lobby groups. But what can we do about it? How do we fix democracy and get our voices heard? The answer, argues Alberto Alemanno, is to become change-makers - citizen lobbyists. By using our skills and talents and mobilizing others, we can bring about social and political change. Whoever you are, you've got power, and this book will show you how to unleash it. If you're looking to improve - or to join - your community, if you're searching for a sense of purpose or a way to take control of what's going on around you, switching off is no longer an option. It's time to make your voice count.

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9781785782855

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Reviews

'At a time when corporate lobbying dominates decision making in government, Alberto Alemanno has produced a vital counter to this unfettered power: citizen lobbying. Here are the means to regain some power and influence over the decisions affecting our lives. This is a toolbox for change.' -- Ed Straw

'In these troubling times, we need effective citizen-lobbyists -- not just likers, followers or even marchers -- more than ever. No one has provided a more readable, persuasive and inspiring guide to how to be such a person than Alberto Alemanno. I have no hesitation in lobbying you to read this book.' -- Bill Emmott * Former editor in chief, The Economist, and chairman, The Wake Up Foundation * `A fresh and smart take on the challenges posed by the new forms of democratic engagement and participation' -- Enrico Letta `Reviving civil society is a crucial task for today and tomorrow, and the strength of citizen lobbying is a vital indicator of civil society's health. Alberto Alemanno has given us just what we need to guide us in this task - an intelligent, accessible and comprehensive handbook.' -- Michael Edwards * editor of OpenDemocracy's `Transformation' * `Lobbying for Change is the antidote to what ails us: moving would-be change makers beyond clicktivism and the occasional march to by a step-by-step guide to get active in shaping the future you want to see.' -- Gillian Caldwell * CEO, Global Witness * `The nexus of citizens and technology can form a fifth estate , a force for progressive change that will ultimately change politics itself for the better. A must read to understand the future of governance.' -- Parag Khanna * author of Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization * `Many people feel powerless and believe the system is rigged against them. While the likes of Trump, Farage and Le Pen want to tear down the system in the name of the people , Alberto Alemanno has a much more positive solution. A must-read in these troubled times.' -- Philippe Legrain * political economist and writer * `An easy read packed with powerful insights from both academic research as well as the author's personal experience, Lobbying for Change will give you all the tools you need to make your voice heard and make a lasting difference.' -- Manuel Arriaga * author of Rebooting Democracy * `Celebrating the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals, Alberto Alemanno's book is an unparalleled guide for true citizen engagement with youth at the focal point.' -- Trisha Shetty `This is an essential guidebook for navigating the new political landscape. Alberto sets out the tools that citizens will need to fix broken politics and power a new participation revolution.' -- Danny Sriskandarajah, director of CIVICUS Alliance `Alberto Alemanno delivers a true door opener to a new democratic world, where everybody is in charge and has a duty to act. This is essential reading for today's active citizens across the globe.' -- Bruno Kaufmann * co-president of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy * `This book provides much needed hope. A generation after Albert Camus advised us to rebel against the absurdities of life, Alberto Alemanno has provided us with a manual on how to do so. Get it, read it, become a citizen advocate - and help to rebuild progressive politics.' -- Gerard Hastings * professor of social marketing * 'At a time when corporate lobbying dominates decision making in government, Alberto Alemanno has produced a vital counter to this unfettered power: citizen lobbying. Here are the means to regain some power and influence over the decisions affecting our lives. This is a toolbox for change.' -- Ed Straw `Offers inviting and practical ways for people to connect to politicians and decision makers. Only through this kind of interaction can we build resilient, open, and legitimate governance and cooperation.' -- Marietje Schaake, Member of the European Parliament `This lively book challenges preconceptions about lobbying and lobbyists. Alberto Alemanno shows with style that there are other ways beyond conventional politics to change the world.' -- Andrew Duff, Visiting Fellow, European Policy Centre 'This book helps ordinary people get their message out in a world that - despite its hyper-connectivity and active social media - has led to political apathy in large parts of the population, particularly the young. Lobbying for Change shows there is no excuse. Citizen engagement can and should make a difference.' -- Cobus de Swardt `This book does a great service for civil society by identifying the tools that citizens can use to get change.' -- Gerry Stoker 'For those inexperience or new to political work, this is a useful self-help book.' `Lobbying for Change inspires us to take back control of our own lives by challenging received notions of policy-making. In a graceful and easy-to-read style full of practical detail, Alemanno has presented the case to engage and shown all of us just how easy it is.' -- Ed Rekosh `Lobbying for Change unveils an inconvenient truth: it is not the interests of the few that are overrepresented but those of the many that are underrepresented in the policy process. This book provides a guide for citizens to act as an equalising force in today's polarised society. An inspiring, timely and positive narrative of today's state of democracy and an antidote to the trap of populism.' -- Pascal Lamy * former Director of the World Trade Organisation and EU Commissioner for Trade *

Author Information

Alberto Alemanno is an academic, public interest lawyer and civic advocate. A Professor of European Union Law at the HEC Paris and Global Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law, he is also a Co-Founder and Director of The Good Lobby, which forges partnerships to lobby for the public interest.

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