Howard Zinn‘s groundbreaking work, The People’s History Of The United States, turned history on its head — concentrating on the power of the people to effect change, not just the deeds of “great men” and those in political power. In this conversation from Bill Moyers Journal — filmed just weeks before Zinn’s death — the historian and activist encourages people to think for themselves, to push and prod their governments, and not to rely on leaders to “do what needs to be done.” Zinn tells Moyers, “Democracy is not the three branches of government.”

Watch the entire conversation between Bill Moyers and Howard Zinn.