Description
Book Synopsis: A unique reinterpretation of democracy that shows how history's most vocal champions of democracy from Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Jefferson to John Rawls have contributed to a pervasive, anti-democratic ideology, effectively redefining democracy to mean "rule by the elites."
The rise of global populism reveals a tension in Western thinking about democracy. Warnings about the "populist threat" to democracy and "authoritarian" populism are now commonplace. However, as Emily B. Finley argues in The Ideology of Democratism, dismissing "populism" as anti-democratic is highly problematic. In effect, such arguments essentially reject the actual popular will in favor of a purely theoretical and abstract "will of the people."
She contends that the West has conceptualized democracy-not just its populist doppelgänger-as an ideal that has all of the features of a thoroughgoing political ideology which she labels "democratism." As she shows, this understanding of democracy, which constitutes an entire view of life and politics, has been and remains a powerful influence in America and leading Western European nations and their colonial satellites. Through a careful analysis of several of history's most vocal champions of democracy, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, John Rawls, and American neoconservatives and liberal internationalists, Finley identifies an interpretation of democracy that effectively transforms the meaning of "rule by the people" into nearly its opposite. Making use of democratic language and claiming to speak for the people, many politicians, philosophers, academics, and others advocate a more "complete" and "genuine" form of democracy that in practice haslittle regard for the actual popular will.
A heterodox argument that challenges the prevailing consensus of what democracy is and what it is supposed be, The Ideology of Democratism offers a timely and comprehensive assessment of the features and thrust of this powerful new view of democracy that has enchanted the West.
Details
Discover the eye-opening truth about democracy with The Ideology of Democratism book. In this captivating reinterpretation, author Emily B. Finley unveils the hidden agenda behind history's most influential advocates of democracy. From Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Thomas Jefferson and even John Rawls, these champions have been unknowingly contributing to a pervasive, anti-democratic ideology that ultimately redefines democracy as "rule by the elites."
As global populism continues to rise, Western societies find themselves grappling with the notion of democracy. But dismissing "populism" as anti-democratic is a mistake, argues Finley. By doing so, we reject the true will of the people in favor of abstract theories. In her groundbreaking analysis, she reveals how the West has turned democracy, and even its populist counterpart, into an all-encompassing political ideology called "democratism."
The influence of democratism reaches deep into the foundations of leading Western nations, their colonies, and the United States. By examining the works of influential thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, and John Rawls, Finley exposes an interpretation of democracy that subverts the essence of "rule by the people."
Many politicians, philosophers, and academics use the language of democracy to push their own agendas, claiming to represent the people while disregarding their true desires. The Ideology of Democratism challenges the prevailing consensus and offers a heterodox perspective on democracy. It provides a timely and comprehensive assessment of the features and impact of this powerful new view of democracy that has captivated the Western world.
Uncover the truth behind democracy - order your copy of The Ideology of Democratism now for an enlightening and thought-provoking read.
Click here to order your copy today and explore the deeper meaning of democracy with Emily B. Finley's groundbreaking book.
Discover More Best Sellers in Legal Theory & Systems
Shop Legal Theory & Systems
Neither Settler nor Native: The Making and Unmaking of Permanent Minorities
$19.95
Legal Theory & Systems - Neither Settler nor Native: The Making and Unmaking of Permanent Minorities
Legal Reasoning and Legal Theory (Clarendon Law Series)
$25.00
Legal Theory & Systems - Legal Reasoning and Legal Theory (Clarendon Law Series)
Supreme Power: 7 Pivotal Supreme Court Decisions That Had a Major Impact on America
$15.99
Legal Theory & Systems - Supreme Power: 7 Pivotal Supreme Court Decisions That Had a Major Impact on America
$25.74
Legal Theory & Systems - Ordering Power: Contentious Politics and Authoritarian Leviathans in Southeast Asia (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)
Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction (12th Edition)
$35.79
Legal Theory & Systems - Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction (12th Edition)
Contract as Promise: A Theory of Contractual Obligation
$29.22
Legal Theory & Systems - Contract as Promise: A Theory of Contractual Obligation
$34.99
Legal Theory & Systems - Rebuilding Leviathan: Party Competition and State Exploitation in Post-Communist Democracies (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)
