false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174952572m/460690.jpg 460690 2 <p>Benjamin Barber is one of America's preeminent political theorists. He has been a significant voice in the continuing debate about the nature and role of democracy in the contemporary world. <i>A Passion for Democracy</i> collects twenty of his most important writings on American democracy. Together they refine his distinctive position in democratic theory. Barber's conception of "strong democracy" contrasts with traditional concepts of "liberal democracy," especially in its emphasis on citizen participation in central issues of public debate. These essays critique the "thin representation" of liberal democracy and buttress the arguments presented in Barber's twelve books, most recently in his well-received <i>Jihad vs. McWorld: How Globalism and Tribalism Are Re-shaping the World</i>. In these pieces, Barber argues for participatory democracy without dependence on abstract metaphysical foundations, and he stresses the relationship among democracy and civil society, civic education, and culture.</p><p><i>A Passion for Democracy</i> is divided into four sections. In the first, "American Theory: Democracy, Liberalism, and Rights," Barber addresses issues of ongoing relevance to today's debates about the roots of participatory democracy, including individualism vs. community, the importance of consent, and the irrelevance of Marxism. Essays in the second section, "American Practice: Leadership, Citizenship, and Censorship" provide a "strong democracy" critique of American democratic practice. "Education for Democracy: Civic Education, Service, and Citizenship" applies Barber's theories to three related topics and includes his much-discussed essay "America Skips School." The final section, "Democracy and Technology: Endless Frontier or End of Democracy?" provides glimpses into a future that technology alone cannot secure for democracy.</p><p>In his preface, Barber writes: "In these essays ... I have been hard on my country. Like most ardent democrats, I want more for it than it has achieved, despite the fact that it has achieved more than most people have dared to want." This wide-ranging collection displays not only his passion for democracy, but also his unique perspective on issues of abiding importance for the democratic process.</p> 449152 1998 A Passion for Democracy total:6|5:3|4:1|3:2| 6 25 12 1 5 0 false false Mon Oct 04 00:00:00 -0700 2004 Mon Dec 29 06:27:07 -0800 2008 Mon Dec 29 06:28:38 -0800 2008 0 0 false false Mon Nov 16 21:26:00 -0800 2009 Mon Nov 16 21:26:00 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Wed Sep 09 20:04:37 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 09 20:04:37 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Tue Aug 18 01:05:59 -0700 2009 Tue Aug 18 01:05:59 -0700 2009 3 0 false false Mon Jun 01 21:12:37 -0700 2009 Mon Jun 01 21:12:37 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sat Dec 20 16:34:50 -0800 2008 Sat Dec 20 16:34:53 -0800 2008 3 0 false false Thu Nov 20 09:03:29 -0800 2008 Thu Nov 20 09:03:29 -0800 2008 0 0 false false Mon Oct 20 18:16:43 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 20 18:16:43 -0700 2008 5 0 false false Fri Sep 12 11:49:52 -0700 2008 Fri Sep 12 11:49:52 -0700 2008 0 0 false false Wed Aug 13 18:31:33 -0700 2008 Wed Aug 13 18:58:58 -0700 2008 5 0 false false Sat Aug 25 09:14:39 -0700 2007 Sat Aug 25 09:14:39 -0700 2007 4 0 false false Thu Aug 09 09:19:27 -0700 2007 Thu Aug 09 09:19:27 -0700 2007 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=460690