Episode 39: Citizenship and Local Politics - Interview with Eric Alegria

You've probably heard the saying "all politics is local," but what does that actually say about local politics? In the negative sense, it may refer to some cynical calculus about what issues ought to be discussed to win an election. However, in the positive sense, the saying can help us ground our understanding of politics and government in the more immediate concerns of our local communities, which can often have an uncanny way of building consensus, neighborliness, and all the positive attributes that can overcome the divisive politics of our time. To help me unpack the virtues of local government and discuss the practical ways average citizens can get involved, I'm joined on the podcast by my friend and colleague Eric Alegria. Besides being a doctoral student, working professional, and family man, Eric also serves as the mayor of his city. In this conversation, we discuss what got him involved in local government, the challenges of civic leadership in the COVID era, the avenues open to citizen involvement in local government, and the practical step one can take to get involved. This is fun, practical, and encouraging conversation about what's possible in a democratic society where citizens care about their neighbors and community. Subscribe to the Weekly Brief on Substack (30% for podcast listeners)! Get the show notes at www.timtalkspolitics.com.