Description
WE NEED A MORE RADICAL DEMOCRACY
Book Summary
In a context of widespread political apathy, "We Need a More Radical Democracy" offers the vision of a politician who firmly believes in the need to transform the system from within. Juli Fernàndez, mayor of Palafrugell and deputy in the Parliament of Catalonia, outlines his personal and political journey, from his beginnings as an independent to his membership in the PSC, to defend a more authentic, participatory politics that is closer to the citizenry. The book is a passionate reflection on how to recover lost trust and calls for a radically democratic democracy, far removed from the practices that have discredited public life.
What is it about?
The work is a biographical and political essay in which Juli Fernàndez, together with Xavi Casinos, narrates his life and ideological trajectory. The book delves into his experience as a councilor and mayor, explaining how he went from being an independent on the socialist list in Palafrugell in 1991 to becoming a convinced social democrat, with the figure of Josep Pallach as a historical reference. Through his experiences, Fernàndez analyzes the shortcomings of current politics, marked by citizen distrust, and proposes a profound renewal of democratic mechanisms. The text defends a "radical" policy in the sense of getting to the root of problems, betting on citizen participation, federalism, and a modern, effective left.
Main themes
- Democratic reform and citizen participation.
- Social democracy and left-wing ideology in the 21st century.
- Federalism as a model of territorial organization.
- Local political leadership and municipal management.
- The figure of Josep Pallach as a historical reference of Catalan socialism.
- The crisis of confidence in politics and its necessary regeneration.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for readers interested in Catalan and Spanish politics, especially those looking for an honest and critical view of the democratic system from the perspective of an active politician. It is ideal for people who wish to understand the internal dynamics of left-wing parties, the functioning of local politics, and proposals for a more participatory democracy. It is also attractive to political science students, militants or sympathizers of the PSC and Ciutadans pel Canvi, and in general to any citizen who wants to reflect on the role of politics in today's society.
What this book contributes
- A privileged, first-hand perspective on local and regional politics in Catalonia.
- A concrete proposal for democratic regeneration based on the real experience of a mayor.
- An ideological journey that connects historical socialism with the challenges of the present.
- An honest reflection on the contradictions and difficulties of practicing politics.
- Keys to understanding federalist and social democratic thought in the Catalan context.
Technical specifications
- Author: Xavi Casinos and Juli Fernàndez
- Publisher: Els Llums
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Socialism and center-left democratic ideologies, Political leaders and leadership, Regional government policies
- Collection: Llibres Urgents
- Publication date: March 2015
- Number of pages: 161
- Weight: 235 g
Editorial review
"We Need a More Radical Democracy" is a work that combines personal testimony with political analysis, offering an authentic and committed vision of a man who does politics from the grassroots. The book is especially relevant to its target audience because it does not limit itself to criticism, but proposes an alternative based on participation and democratic radicalism. Reading it allows one to understand the motivations of a politician who, despite general discredit, continues to believe in the transformative capacity of politics. It is a valuable contribution to the debate on democratic regeneration in Catalonia, especially recommended for those looking for solid arguments from a social democratic and federalist perspective.