false 45907345 2007619 2969118 1590302974 9781590302972 4 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2969118.Wrestling_with_the_Angel_of_Democracy_On_Being_an_American_Citizen 3.42 12
Beginning with an exploration of the life and thought of Thomas Jefferson, Griffin identifies two battling aspects of the American psyche: the “psychology of empire,” characterized by a desire for safety, order, and control, and the “psychology of democracy,” characterized by equality, empathy, and truth telling. According to Griffin, these two psychologies have been battling each other for supremacy from our country’s earliest inception. Griffin’s probing exploration of American history is interwoven with beautifully wrought passages of personal memoir exploring her upbringing and political awakenings in 1950s California.

Griffin argues convincingly that the birth of American democracy signaled a fundamental shift in our most deeply held values and understandings. Yet she provocatively suggests that the work of establishing democracy in this country has not been completed. We are still wrestling with the promise of democracy today and, as American citizens, are deeply impacted by the ongoing struggle between tyranny and freedom.]]> 45970 4.00 351 74 2008 0 0 false Tue Feb 10 00:20:57 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 10 00:21:02 -0800 2009