Civility and Subversion: The Intellectual in Democratic Society - Brossura

Goldfarb, Jeffrey C.

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0521627230 ISBN 13: 9780521627238

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Riassunto

This 1998 book provides a sophisticated alternative to existing accounts of the role of the intellectual in modern democracy. Arguing that society suffers from a systemic deliberation deficit, Jeffrey Goldfarb explores the potential of the intellectual as democratic agent, at once civilizing political contestation and subverting complacent consensus. The sentimental Leftist view of the intellectual as guardian of democracy and the demonising Rightist view of the intellectual as obstructor of progress, are both shown to be flawed. Instead, intellectuals are portrayed as special kinds of 'strangers' who pay careful attention to their critical faculties, equipping them uniquely to address the most pressing issues of today. Professor Goldfarb deploys classical and contemporary social theory to analyse a diverse set of intellectuals in action, from Socrates in fifth-century Athens to Malcolm X and Toni Morrison in twentieth-century America, and, drawing on personal acquaintance, the political dissidents in Communist and post-Communist Central Europe.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

"This is a serious book by an exceptionally thoughtful, learned scholar." Canadian Journal of Sociology Online

"This is a fine book. It is also an honest book. It avoids easy rhetoric and facile posturing. It will, no doubt, annoy some of its readers. It contributes to an important debate, the significance of which extendds beyond the confines of the American academy." Jeremy Jennings, Social Forces

Descrizione del libro:

This 1998 book provides a sophisticated alternative account of the role of the intellectual in democracy, both in civilising political contestation and subverting complacent consensus. A diverse set of intellectuals in action is analysed, from Socrates in Athens to Central European political dissidents, from Malcolm X to Toni Morrison in America.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Cambridge University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0521627230
• ISBN 13: 9780521627238
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 264