Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone by Astra Taylor, Henry Holt and Co.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Astra Taylor ISBN: 9781250179852
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Publication: May 7, 2019
Imprint: Metropolitan Books Language: English
Author: Astra Taylor
ISBN: 9781250179852
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication: May 7, 2019
Imprint: Metropolitan Books
Language: English

What is democracy really? What do we mean when we use the term? And can it ever truly exist? Astra Taylor, hailed as a “New Civil Rights Leader” by the Los Angeles Times, provides surprising answers.

There is no shortage of democracy, at least in name, and yet it is in crisis everywhere we look. From a cabal of plutocrats in the White House to gerrymandering and dark-money compaign contributions, it is clear that the principle of government by and for the people is not living up to its promise.

The problems lie deeper than any one election cycle. As Astra Taylor demonstrates, real democracy—fully inclusive and completely egalitarian—has in fact never existed. In a tone that is both philosophical and anecdotal, weaving together history, theory, the stories of individuals, and interviews with such leading thinkers as Cornel West and Wendy Brown, Taylor invites us to reexamine the term. Is democracy a means or an end, a process or a set of desired outcomes? What if those outcomes, whatever they may be—peace, prosperity, equality, liberty, an engaged citizenry—can be achieved by non-democratic means? In what areas of life should democratic principles apply? If democracy means rule by the people, what does it mean to rule and who counts as the people?

Democracy's inherent paradoxes often go unnamed and unrecognized. Exploring such questions, Democracy May Not Exist offers a better understanding of what is possible, what we want, why democracy is so hard to realize, and why it is worth striving for.

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

What is democracy really? What do we mean when we use the term? And can it ever truly exist? Astra Taylor, hailed as a “New Civil Rights Leader” by the Los Angeles Times, provides surprising answers.

There is no shortage of democracy, at least in name, and yet it is in crisis everywhere we look. From a cabal of plutocrats in the White House to gerrymandering and dark-money compaign contributions, it is clear that the principle of government by and for the people is not living up to its promise.

The problems lie deeper than any one election cycle. As Astra Taylor demonstrates, real democracy—fully inclusive and completely egalitarian—has in fact never existed. In a tone that is both philosophical and anecdotal, weaving together history, theory, the stories of individuals, and interviews with such leading thinkers as Cornel West and Wendy Brown, Taylor invites us to reexamine the term. Is democracy a means or an end, a process or a set of desired outcomes? What if those outcomes, whatever they may be—peace, prosperity, equality, liberty, an engaged citizenry—can be achieved by non-democratic means? In what areas of life should democratic principles apply? If democracy means rule by the people, what does it mean to rule and who counts as the people?

Democracy's inherent paradoxes often go unnamed and unrecognized. Exploring such questions, Democracy May Not Exist offers a better understanding of what is possible, what we want, why democracy is so hard to realize, and why it is worth striving for.

More books from Henry Holt and Co.

Cover of the book A People's History of American Empire by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Spy Schools by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Return to Daemon Hall by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book The Only Language They Understand by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Travels in the Scriptorium by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Famous in a Small Town by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Little Elliot, Fall Friends by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Knee-Deep in Wonder by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Maggie & Oliver or A Bone of One's Own by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book The New Age of Communications by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book The Barefoot Lawyer by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book Cruel as the Grave by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book James Buchanan by Astra Taylor
Cover of the book The Price of Justice by Astra Taylor
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