This book investigates the practical realities and diverse interpretations of democratic decision-making within local governance. It centers on an in-depth case study of school board meetings in a single western U.S. community, examining how communication functions in these settings. The author, Karen Tracy, proposes that 'reasonable hostility' offers a more productive framework for local governance discourse than the often-invoked ideal of civility.

The book offers a critical examination of democratic processes at the local level, using a specific case study to illustrate its points. The author's central argument challenges conventional notions of civility in public discourse, suggesting an alternative framework for more productive deliberation. This approach is likely to appeal to scholars and practitioners interested in political communication, sociology of governance, and democratic theory.