Book Review: A Dialogue for Design and Democracy: Activist Thoughts and Practical Examples for Sociopolitical Empowerment

Journal article, 2025

The book Design and Democracy: Activist Thoughts and Practical Examples for Sociopolitical Empowerment, edited by Michael Erlhoff and Maziar Rezai, was released in April 2021 and features a compilation of 12 thought-provoking chapters contributed by various authors. These chapters delve into the intricate relationships and dynamic interplay between design and democracy. While previous reviews in journals such as The Design Journal, Design and Culture, and Design Studies have offered insights into this notable publication, this review addresses crucial aspects that remain unexplored. It underscores the book's unique perspectives, which are paramount for shaping the trajectory of future research and practice within the realm of design and democracy. Specifically, this review highlights the potential and limitations of design in serving democracy, as well as explores democracy's diverse, agnostic, and norm-breaking nature—considered through both theoretical and practical perspectives.