This Just In: Democracy’s Data

The United States Census isn’t just a data-collection process; it’s a part of American democracy.  The Census results are used for reapportionment of legislative districts and the data is used in determining allocation of federal monies.

In Democracy’s Data, Dan Bouk examines the 1940 Census and helps to give a clearer picture of a nation coming out of the Depression and on the way to war.  Bouk gives the reader a great look at the inner workings of the Census from the census takers through the vast machinery of the Census Bureau.  He also uses the data to shed light on white supremacy, the lives of members of the LBGTQ+ community and the desire by citizens to be seen by the government as they see themselves.