While many current analyses of democracy focus on creating a more civil, respectful debate among competing political viewpoints, this study argues that the existence of structural social inequality requires us to go beyond the realm of political debate. Challenging prominent contemporary theories of democracy, the author draws on John Dewey to bring the work of combating social inequality into the forefront of democratic thought. Dewey's 'pragmatic' principles are deployed to present democracy as a developing concept constantly confronting unique conditions obstructing its growth. Under structurally unequal social conditions, democracy is thereby seen as demanding the overcoming of this inequality; this inequality corrupts even well-organized forums of political debate, and prevents individuals from governing their everyday lives. Dewey's approach shows that the process of fighting social inequality is uniquely democratic, and he avoids current democratic theory's tendency to abstract from this inequality.

Though I had successful careers as a boat captain, in sales, and later as a small-business owner, due to my alcoholism and drug use, I threw every good thing I ever had away. I never could find the happiness I was searching for. Finally, after being in a very desperate situation and crying out to God, I received a powerful revelation of Jesus Christ and an extraordinary visitation of the Holy Spirit while I slept. This is the story of that glorious awakening and the Spirit-inspired devotionals gleaned from my joyous walk with the Lord.