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WHO WE ARE
The Democracy Center works globally to advance social justice through investigation and reporting, training citizens in public advocacy, and leading international citizen campaigns.
Dignity and Defiance: Stories from Bolivia's Challenge to Globalization
Dignity and Defiance is a powerfull, well-crafted, eyewitness account, of Bolivia's rebellion from below. Readers will find compelling first person accounts of Bolivia's historic water revolt; of a massive Shell-Enron oil spill and its aftermath; of a nation's battle to control its oil and gas; and of one people's dramatic and successful challenge to the policies of the World Bank and Interanational Monetary Fund. Here too is the story of those seeking out globalization's opportunities, from indigenous weaving communities to emigrants, transplanted to three continents.
Deadly Consequences
The Deadly Tale of What Happens when IMF Theory Becomes Cold Reality in a Poor Country
From the Introduction:
Through the large windows of the International Monetary Fund's office in La Paz you can see down to the rooftop where Ana Colque was shot and killed in February 2003. Army sharpshooters sent a bullet through her chest during a military assault intended to quell public protests against an economic belt-tightening package imposed on Bolivia by the IMF.
Colque, 24, was among thirty-four people killed during two days of violent conflict sparked by the announcement of a new tax on the nation's working poor. For an afternoon, the conflict erupted into a shooting war between Bolivia's army and police, directly in front of the National Congress and the Presidential Palace.
Publications to Educate and Empower Citizen Action
The Democracy Owners Manual
Our Award Winning Citizens Guide to Public Policy and Advocacy
"A wonderful first step for anyone who wants to be effective at protecting the environment or fighting for economic and social justice." - Carl Pope, executive director, Sierra Club
"Recommended for the bookshelf of every social change organization." - Gustavus Myers, Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights
Winner!-"Outstanding Book Award" (2003) from the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights in America and "Significant University Press Title of 2002" from CHOICE Magazine.
The Initiative Cookbook
The Center's Popular Citizen's Guide to Initiative Campaigning
"A strikingly complete primer on proposition politics" - Los Angeles Times
"Two books in one - a step-by-step guide for those who want to write their own measure or fight one - a highly readable analysis for interested but uninvolved voters." - Orange County Register
Preview the Book - Order the Book
Taking Action on Public Budgets
Promises To Keep: Using Public Budgets As A Tool To Advance Economic, Social And Cultural Rights
Following The Money
Lessons From Civil Society Budget Work And How They Might Be Applied To The Challenge Of Monitoring Oil And Gas Revenues
- Full report in English
- El informe completo en Español (coming Soon)
Reports and summaries are in pdf format.