Democratic Faith

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Democratic Faith by Patrick Deneen, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Deneen ISBN: 9781400826896
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: January 10, 2009
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Patrick Deneen
ISBN: 9781400826896
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: January 10, 2009
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

The American political reformer Herbert Croly wrote, "For better or worse, democracy cannot be disentangled from an aspiration toward human perfectibility." Democratic Faith is at once a trenchant analysis and a powerful critique of this underlying assumption that informs democratic theory. Patrick Deneen argues that among democracy's most ardent supporters there is an oft-expressed belief in the need to "transform" human beings in order to reconcile the sometimes disappointing reality of human self-interest with the democratic ideal of selfless commitment. This "transformative impulse" is frequently couched in religious language, such as the need for political "redemption." This is all the more striking given the frequent accompanying condemnation of traditional religious belief that informs the "democratic faith.?

At the same time, because so often this democratic ideal fails to materialize, democratic faith is often subject to a particularly intense form of disappointment. A mutually reinforcing cycle of faith and disillusionment is frequently exhibited by those who profess a democratic faith--in effect imperiling democratic commitments due to the cynicism of its most fervent erstwhile supporters.

Deneen argues that democracy is ill-served by such faith. Instead, he proposes a form of "democratic realism" that recognizes democracy not as a regime with aspirations to perfection, but that justifies democracy as the regime most appropriate for imperfect humans. If democratic faith aspires to transformation, democratic realism insists on the central importance of humility, hope, and charity.

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

The American political reformer Herbert Croly wrote, "For better or worse, democracy cannot be disentangled from an aspiration toward human perfectibility." Democratic Faith is at once a trenchant analysis and a powerful critique of this underlying assumption that informs democratic theory. Patrick Deneen argues that among democracy's most ardent supporters there is an oft-expressed belief in the need to "transform" human beings in order to reconcile the sometimes disappointing reality of human self-interest with the democratic ideal of selfless commitment. This "transformative impulse" is frequently couched in religious language, such as the need for political "redemption." This is all the more striking given the frequent accompanying condemnation of traditional religious belief that informs the "democratic faith.?

At the same time, because so often this democratic ideal fails to materialize, democratic faith is often subject to a particularly intense form of disappointment. A mutually reinforcing cycle of faith and disillusionment is frequently exhibited by those who profess a democratic faith--in effect imperiling democratic commitments due to the cynicism of its most fervent erstwhile supporters.

Deneen argues that democracy is ill-served by such faith. Instead, he proposes a form of "democratic realism" that recognizes democracy not as a regime with aspirations to perfection, but that justifies democracy as the regime most appropriate for imperfect humans. If democratic faith aspires to transformation, democratic realism insists on the central importance of humility, hope, and charity.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Frontier Fictions by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Neighbors by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book The Last Freedom by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Erasmus, Man of Letters by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book On Global Justice by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Who Are the Criminals?: The Politics of Crime Policy from the Age of Roosevelt to the Age of Reagan by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Fréchet Differentiability of Lipschitz Functions and Porous Sets in Banach Spaces (AM-179) by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book The Zen of Magic Squares, Circles, and Stars by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book The Worst of Times by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Worse Than a Monolith by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Digital Dice by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Iraq by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Americans at the Gate by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book Big Mind by Patrick Deneen
Cover of the book The Enlightenment by Patrick Deneen
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