American Dionysia

Violence, Tragedy, and Democratic Politics

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book American Dionysia by Steven Johnston, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Steven Johnston ISBN: 9781316290224
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: May 12, 2015
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Steven Johnston
ISBN: 9781316290224
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: May 12, 2015
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

Violence and tragedy riddle democracy - not due to fatal shortcomings or unnecessary failures, but because of its very design and success. To articulate this troubling claim, Steven Johnston explores the cruelty of democratic founding, the brutal use democracies make of citizens and animals during wartime, the ambiguous consequences of legislative action expressive of majority rule, and militant practices of citizenship required to deal with democracy's enemies. Democracy must take responsibility for its success: to rule in denial of violence merely replicates it. Johnston thus calls for the development of a tragic democratic politics and proposes institutional and civic responses to democracy's reign, including the reinvention of tragic festivals and holidays, a new breed of public memorials, and mandatory congressional reparations sessions. Theorizing the violent puzzle of democracy, Johnston addresses classic and contemporary political theory, films, little known monuments, the subversive music of Bruce Springsteen, and the potential of democratic violence by the people themselves.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Violence and tragedy riddle democracy - not due to fatal shortcomings or unnecessary failures, but because of its very design and success. To articulate this troubling claim, Steven Johnston explores the cruelty of democratic founding, the brutal use democracies make of citizens and animals during wartime, the ambiguous consequences of legislative action expressive of majority rule, and militant practices of citizenship required to deal with democracy's enemies. Democracy must take responsibility for its success: to rule in denial of violence merely replicates it. Johnston thus calls for the development of a tragic democratic politics and proposes institutional and civic responses to democracy's reign, including the reinvention of tragic festivals and holidays, a new breed of public memorials, and mandatory congressional reparations sessions. Theorizing the violent puzzle of democracy, Johnston addresses classic and contemporary political theory, films, little known monuments, the subversive music of Bruce Springsteen, and the potential of democratic violence by the people themselves.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Renaissance Ethnography and the Invention of the Human by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Challenging Behaviour by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book The International Law of the Sea by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Medieval Britain, c.1000–1500 by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Schizo-Obsessive Disorder by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Problem Fathers in Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Introduction to MIMO Communications by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Automated Evaluation of Text and Discourse with Coh-Metrix by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book The Cambridge Companion to Günter Grass by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book The Continental Drift Controversy: Volume 4, Evolution into Plate Tectonics by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Mixed Methods Social Networks Research by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book A History of the Berliner Ensemble by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Treatable and Potentially Preventable Dementias by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book The WTO Dispute Settlement Procedures by Steven Johnston
Cover of the book Perfecting Pregnancy by Steven Johnston
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy