Gathering Power: The Future of Progressive Politics in America

How an interfaith community organization is revitalizing our democracy

Democrats are looking for the right national message that will attract the most voters, leaving progressive politics to operate from the margins. Paul Osterman argues that political change lies not in crafting a better message to
beam from Washington but rather in effective local action. Gathering Power explores the most successful and promising organization to enable local activism and strengthen our democracy: the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).

Osterman focuses on the successes of Valley Interfaith, a progressive multiracial coalition founded by the charismatic Ernesto Cortes. It is
based in the Rio Grande Valley, which straddles the border between Texas and Mexico and, since the passage of NAFTA, has been one of the fastest growing regions in America, as well as one of the poorest. With the help of the IAF, and working primarily through local churches, Valley Interfaith has brought together Latino residents to improve their communities. They have fought for, and won, reform in their schools and improved wages—but most important, the members of Valley Interfaith have been transformed into activists, ready to take on future battles as a community.

Gathering Power shows how the IAF teaches people to become activists, and argues that religious values have an important place in progressive
politics. Paul Osterman is professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with joint appointments in the Sloan School of Management and
the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. He travels extensively throughout the country and abroad to speak to business groups, community
organizations, and government and public policy organizations. He lives in the Boston area.