Prophets and Patriots takes readers inside two of the most active populist movements of the Obama era and highlights cultural convergences and contradictions at the heart of American political life. In the wake of the Great Recession and amid rising discontent with government responsiveness to ordinary citizens, the book follows participants in two very different groups—a progressive faith-based community organization and a conservative Tea Party group—as they set out to become active and informed citizens, put their faith into action, and hold government accountable. Both groups viewed themselves as the latest in a long line of prophetic voices and patriotic heroes who were carrying forward the promise of the American democratic project. Yet the ways in which each group put this common vision into practice reflected very different understandings of American democracy and citizenship.
Table of Content
List of Figures and Table
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Becoming Active Citizens
3. Narratives of Active Citizenship
4. Putting Faith into Action
5. Holding Government Accountable
6. Styles of Active Citizenship
7. Conclusion
Appendix: Methodological Notes
Notes
References
Index
About the author
Ruth Braunstein is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Connecticut.
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