Tracker Pixel for Entry

Insurgent Democracy author comes to Zandbroz

Writer's Block | November 20th, 2015


On Thursday, Dec. 3, Zandbroz Variety will host author Michael Lansing in a reading and signing of his latest book, “Insurgent Democracy: The Nonpartisan League in North American Politics,” published this year by the University of Chicago Press. This nonfiction book chronicles the rise and decline of the Nonpartisan League, which was formed by North Dakota farmers in 1915 in an attempt to give power back to workers and rise above corporate and political authority. 

The League, led by organizer A.C. Townley, was in favor of state ownership over banks, mills, and insurances, as well as suffrage for women, better regulation of public services, and easier access to education and healthcare, which were all instituted by Gov. Lynn J. Frazier. The League maintained control over North Dakota’s state government, and went on to spread to 13 states and two Canadian provinces. At its peak, the organization had over 250,000 paying members.

However, public opinion turned against the League when members were accused of opposing American participation in World War I. After the war ended, western North Dakota was hit with a drought, while grain prices dropped and the economy suffered. Finally, in 1921, a recall election removed Gov. Frazier from his position, and the League was subsequently disbanded.

Unfortunately, this time in history has been overlooked and even forgotten by historians, and is rarely taught in school. With “Insurgent Democracy,” Lansing relates this story as an example of how an ordinary group of citizens can create social reform through dedicated activism and assembly, and opens the floor for discussion on how it relates to modern politics.

Robert D. Johnston, author of “The Radical Middle Class,” described Lansing’s book as "beautifully written, deeply researched and compellingly argued… This book will be one of the most important rural, western and American political histories to emerge for some time.”

IF YOU GO:

Thursday, December 3

7:00 PM

Zandbroz Variety 420 Broadway N Fargo, ND

Admission is free

Recently in:

Press release Celebrate Dinosaur Day on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum (612 E Boulevard Ave. in Bismarck). This free, family-friendly program is open to all ages. A…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu The Northwest Blade, from Eureka, South Dakota, published a wonderful story in August 2020. It’s called “Granddaughter keeps Grandmother’s precious chamomile seeds,” by Cindy…

Sunday, October 19, 10 a.m.Buffalo River State Park, 565 155th St. S., Glyndon, MNHosted by the Red River Valley Chapter of Herbalists Without Borders at Buffalo River State Park for a fun fall day full of flora. (Say that three…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com Yes, we know, everywhere you look, the world situation is mental. It’s almost inescapable just how tenuous life’s circumstances are. And how they are mostly — pretty much entirely — out of our…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWill we be banging or whimpering at the end of the American empire?T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men” accurately portrays the end of most empires in his first lines: “We are the hollow men/…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The multiple meanings of the title location in Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s “Bone Lake” cover the sex and death spectrum that will flummox Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson) as…

By HPR staffsubmit@hpr1.com Mark the first weekend of October on your calendar. It’s the weekend of the Studio Crawl, which takes us all on a wonderful, metro-wide tour of our talented (and often wacky) arts community. On October…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

Press Release As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, Essentia Health is highlighting an innovative — and recently expanded — program that brings early breast cancer detection services to rural communities. Essentia’s mobile…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…