Description:Not only is this book an important contribution to the deliberative democracry debate, it is essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of American democracy. Coming at a time when political discourse has been reduced to television soundbites, the inane commentary of media "pundits," cynical, poll-driven stump speeches, and barely coherent, question-dodging press conferences, Leib's call for a fourth, "popular," branch of government couldn't be more timely. This book will appeal to specialists and amateurs alike. I highly recommend it.