Taking On the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era | 
|  | | | Title: | Taking On the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era | | Author: | Markos Moulitsas Zuniga | | Publisher: | Celebra Hardcover | | Type: | Book / Hardcover | | Publication Date: | 20 August, 2008 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0451225198 / 9780451225191 | | List Price: | $23.95 | | You Save: | $10.78 | | Amazon Price: | $13.17 | |
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Product Description
As founder of one of the most influential political blogs, DailyKos, Markos Moulitsas Zuniga establishes the fundamental laws that govern today's new era of digital activism.
The Sixties are over and the rules of power have been transformed. In order to change the world one needs to know how to manipulate the media, not just march in the streets. Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, otherwise known as "Kos," is today's symbol of digital activism, giving a voice to everyday people. In Taking on the System, Kos has taken a cue from his revolutionary predecessor's doctrine, Saul Alinksy's Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, and places this epic hand-book in today's digital era, empowering every American to make a difference in the 21st century.
As founder of the largest political blog in the nation, Kos knows how it's done, because he's done it with tremendous success. In Taking on the System, he shares practical guidelines on how grassroots movements can thrive in the age of global information, while referencing historical and present examples of the tragedy caused without those actions.
The walls between the people and the power the so-called rabble and the so-called elite are being torn down by technology, and a new army of amateurs are storming the barriers to effect political, cultural, and environmental transformation. Readers will come to understand how they too can change the world.
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Customer Reviews:
• Skim The Book Then Move On To Action 23 October, 2008
I can't help thinking that author Markos Moulitsas wouldn't mind very much if readers just skimmed the book for some inspiration and moved on quickly to do something toward "taking on the system." Someone else mentioned that the titles and subtitles are the best part of the book. "Set the Narrative." "Target Your Villain." "Exploit Their Weaknesses." "Build a Wave." "Aim for the Gut, Not the Brain." "Advance and Hold Enemy Ground."
So many Americans have felt increasingly disenfranchised and disengaged from the system. Moulitsas describes a process--sort of an evolution of character and action--in which an individual can pick a cause, start small, become engaged, identify the roadblocks, and then move on and on with persistence and determination to knock down the roadblock and get something done. And then lots of individuals can find like-minded communities and become part of a movement that collectively takes on the system to serve the needs of real people in the real America of today.
Moulitsas uses military imagery from time to time, not to suggest acts of violence but rather to move slowly and strategically to stake out a position and then hold onto it. As it turns out, this physically small man I've heard called "twerp" served a stint in the Army, then came out, went to college and then law school, and has now, without physical force, become a part of a movement that's slowly been turning from a minority to a majority representation of the desires of the American people.
I've been reading the author's blog, The Daily Kos. Markos Moulitsas is a prolific writer (using the blogger's name "Kos) posting day after day to keep his readership focused on task and focused on victory in the upcoming elections. He's been labeled "far left," "radical," and more. I don't really see anything more than Democratic partisanship, expressed in a way that drives people to make sure Democrats will win big in the upcoming elections. He uses the key elements of this book every day. He senses his coalition is close to victory, and now he's calling for full victory, no mercy, win as many seats as possible by as big a margin as possible.
For Markos Moulitsas, it doesn't seem to be all that much, really, about ideology as it is about making sure Democratic candidates win elections. So, Taking on the System is sort of a guidebook (I wouldn't go so far as to call it a military handbook) for political success through nonviolent, strategic means. It could probably be as useful for Republicans as it is for Democrats--if not for the fact that Republicans have been using many of these tactics to win elections for the past 30 years.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3OC42X7H74D1Y
• Political Influence Using The Internet 26 October, 2008
Here's a look at how the internet has changed the way that public opinion is formed and how that can influence politics. The author gives clear examples showing that grassroots activism has taken on a new form with a power that we are just beginning to discover.
This is an well-written and timely book that can help activists, PR people, and anyone involved in challenging or maintaining the status quo should read. Although it is written by a successful blogger, it is NOT a guide to blogging or building an audience. Rather it is a convincing thesis that opinion-building has become doable by individuals without political connections, and that entrenched leaders can be unseated by a few people with something to say and an internet connection.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1E50L7PCVXLN4
• Helpful Manual For Blogger-activists But Misses The Big Picture 19 November, 2008
Markos Moulitsas Zuniga's excellent book is less "how to" than inspiration for those wishing to change the system. There are strategies for bypassing gatekeepers, smart insights about the ineffectiveness of street protests, and 21st century rehashing of Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals. This book needs honing; it's too long. But the biggest problem is that Moulitsas is a left-leaning partisan, helped in large part by a socialist backlash against an incompetent Bush administration. What Moulitsas doesn't see is that partisanship, itself, is part of the problem. I think the political process is broken, corrupt, driven into the frenzy of partisan warfare. A mere shift from right to left won't solve the problem. People aren't really citizens any longer; rather, they're consumers, investors, workers. America's foreign policy architecture is deeply flawed. And the US lacks an intelligent way to thwart smuggled nuclear bombs.
I am a non-partisan activist and independent thinker who sees America in serious danger. I'm summoning a Second Constitutional Convention of the nation's political and financial and media elite to meet in Philadelphia in July 2009 to craft a revised document based on the existing Constitution but which the public will vote upon later. I may consider inviting Mr. Moulitsas if he can jettison his partisanship and fix America. Check out my critique on Amazon: Common Sense II: How to Prevent the Three Types of Terrorism. I've sent invitations to possible delegates; at this stage, Senator Orrin Hatch has declined; maybe Mr. Moulitsas might take his place?
- Reviewed by customer ID: A10GD6NA45PXEA
• A Great Manual From The People Who Know 21 November, 2008
What can we do to exert change in our political and work environments outside of voting and complaining? The answer can be found in Taking On the System. This book has dozen of ideas, ranging from the simple and immediately doable to the somewhat more complex. I really appreciated the authors use of real life examples to amplify their message. This is a book for committed progressive to foster the change they would truly like to see. Our recent election is a huge step in this process, but until we put ourselves into the struggle, we are like to remain mere voters and complainers.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3G8L4U5W9XMEI
• Timely Re-examination Of Strategy 29 December, 2008
Aside from a little repetition, 'Taking on the System - Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era' is a very good read and a timely re-examination of strategy for progressives fighting the techno and media might of the Right.
And despite being a leading light in the radical/progressive challenge to the right-wing juggernaut as the founder of the celebrated blog Daily Kos, campaigning author Markos Moulitsas Zuniga is not averse to critically re-examining his own past takes and actions as well as those of others.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3FV353B4GWH8L
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