Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism by Cornel West (English

Description: Democracy Matters by Cornel West Pointing to the rise of free-market fundamentalism, an aggressive militarism, and an insidious authoritarianism, the author calls for the revitalization ofAmericas democracy. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description "Uncompromising and unconventional . . . Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude." - Newsweek""A timely analysis about the current state of democratic systems in America." - The Boston GlobeIn Democracy Matters, Cornel Westargues that if America is to become a better steward of democratization around the world, we must first wake up to the long history of corruption that has plagued our own democracy- racism,free market fundamentalism, aggressive militarism, and escalating authoritarianism.This impassioned and empowering call for the revitalization of Americas democracy, by one of our most distinctive and compelling social critics, will reshape the raging national debate about Americas role in todays troubled world. Author Biography Cornel West is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary. Formerly, he wasUniversity Professor at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. He is the author of many books, including Race Matters, Brother West, Black Prophetic Fire, Keeping Faith,Prophetic Fragments, and, with bell hooks,Breaking Bread. He is runningas a 2024 candidate for president of the United States in the Green Party. Table of Contents 1. Democracy Matters Are Frightening in Our Time2. Nihilism In America3. The Deep Democratic Traditioni in America4. Forging New Jewish and Islamic Democratic Identities5. The Crisis of Christian Identity in America6. The Necessary Engagement with Youth Culture7. Putting On Our Democratic ArmorAcknowledgmentsIndex Review "Uncompromising and unconventional . . . Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude." —Newsweek"West reveals himself as a thinker of dazzling erudition, whose critiques are inevitably balanced by an infectious optimism and magnanimity of spirit." —The Village Voice Review Quote Uncompromising and unconventional . . . Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude. (Newsweek) West reveals himself as a thinker of dazzling erudition, whose critiques are inevitably balanced by an infectious optimism Excerpt from Book The great dramatic battle of the twenty-first century is the dismantling of empire and the deepening of democracy. This is more a colossal fight over visions and ideas than a catastrophic struggle over profits and missiles. We live at a moment in which it has become fashionable to celebrate the benefits of imperial rule and to accentuate the deficiencies of democratic governance. The prevailing climate of opinion and culture of consumption makes it difficult to even conceive of new democratic possibilities and practices. This slow yet frightening imperial devouring of American democracy flows from a lethal combination of free market fundamentalism, aggressive militarism, and escalating authoritarianism. Free market fundamentalism--just as significant as religious fundamentalisms--not only posits the unregulated market as idol and fetish; it also devalues and demeans nonmarket activities like critical thought, compassionate temperament, and laughter at self and society. No democracy can survive without these precious commitments. No vital sense of public interest and common good can be sustained without these humanistic convictions. Plutocratic economic arrangements--in which elite greed runs amok--create an unhealthy hemorrhage of wealth at the very top of society. This top-heavy inequality puts a premium on instant success and short-term gain by any means and at any cost. It also erodes the fragile democratic trust between classes and groups. Needless to say, it sends an explosive message to the most vulnerable that they neither count nor matter. Democracies reap social chaos when such plutocratic seeds are sowed. Aggressive militarism--whether abroad, as in armed invasion in Iraq, or at home, as in police violations--heralds force as the desirable means of resolving problems. It demotes diplomacy and degrades dialogue--two crucial pillars of any democratic regime. And, as with Sophocles Creon in Antigone, the preoccupation with might easily leads to myopic arrogance and hideous hubris of nations and persons. As the mechanisms of deliberation and modes of cooperation weaken, unchecked power reigns supreme. No democracy can thrive without legitimate forms of accountability containing such power. Escalating authoritarianism feeds public paranoia and cuts off the democratic lifeblood of any society. The curtailment of liberties and the repression of rights make the hard-won rule of law suspect. The subtle censorship of media and narrowing of political discourse disempowers citizens and discourages novel approaches to pressing problems. The ideological monitoring of schools and universities dampens the imagination and ingenuity of talented and creative young people. Freedom of expression is the indispensable precondition for any democratic experiment. The perennial battle between empire and democracy--that reaches from Athens to America--sits at the center of human efforts to preserve decency and dignity, excellence and elegance, freedom and equality. We not only ignore it at our own peril; we also must acknowledge that the very moral grounds of our prosperity are at stake. Details ISBN0143035835 Author Cornel West Short Title DEMOCRACY MATTERS Language English ISBN-10 0143035835 ISBN-13 9780143035831 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 321.8 Year 2005 Residence Boston, MA, US Imprint Penguin USA Subtitle Winning the Fight Against Imperialism Place of Publication New York, NY Country of Publication United States DOI 10.1604/9780143035831 US Release Date 2005-08-30 UK Release Date 2005-08-30 Pages 240 Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc Publication Date 2005-08-30 Audience General NZ Release Date 2005-08-29 AU Release Date 2005-08-29 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:141682259;

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