The Little Republic of Saillans: An Experiment in Participatory Democracy by Maud Dugrand

The pitch

Maud Dugrand’s book by Maud Dugrand is a story that chronicles the democratic and participatory journey of a small village in the Drôme region. In 2014, a citizen-led slate was elected. During its term, residents were actively involved in municipal operations. The author, a journalist and native of the village, traces the journey of this collective from its inception to the end of its term in 2020.

Why this book? 

The novel format is ideal for a light read that nonetheless explores a pressing democratic issue. Regardless of our status, we are all affected by local politics. It is the kind of politics that most directly impacts our daily lives.

Doc's Review 

If you’re interested in collaborative urban planning or simply in stories of citizen resistance, this book is for you. And who knows? Maybe it will inspire you to launch a participatory project in your own city…

You can find this book in the non-fiction section among our top picks!

Read more

The documentary – excerpt