Democracy On Trial

by Jean Bethke Elshtain

Even as Russia and the other former Soviet republics struggle to redefine themselves in democratic terms, our own democracy if faltering, not flourishing. We confront one another as aggrieved groups rather than as free citizens. Cynicism, boredom, apathy, despair, violence—these have become coin of the civic realm. They are dark signs of the times and a warning that democracy may not be up to the task of satisfying the yearnings it unleashes—yearnings for freedom, fairness, and equality.In this timely, thought-provoking book, one of America's leading political philosophers and public intellectuals questions whether democracy will prove sufficiently robust and resilient to survive the century. Beginning with a catalogue of our discontents, Jean Bethke Elshtain asks what has gone wrong and why. She draws on examples from America and other parts of the world as she explores the politics of race, ethnicity, and gender identity—controversial, and essential, political issues of our day. Insisting that there is much to cherish in our democratic traditions, she concludes that democracy involves a permanent clash between conservatism and progressive change.Elshtain distinguishes her own position from those of both the Left and the Right, demonstrating why she has been called one of our most interesting and independent civic thinkers. Responding to critics of democracy, ancient and modern, Elshtain urges us to have the courage of our most authentic democratic convictions. We need, she insists, both hope and a sense of reality.Writing her book for citizens, not experts, Elshtain aims to open up a dialogue and to move us beyond sterile sectarian disputes. Democracy on Trial will generate wide debate and controversy.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Political Science

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Jean Bethke Elshtain is an American political philosopher. She is the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is a contributing editor for The New Republic. She is, in addition, newly the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Chair in the Foundations of American Freedom at Georgetown University. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and she has served on the Boards of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, and the National Humanities Center. She is also the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and has received nine honorary degrees. In 2002, Elshtain received the Frank J. Goodnow award, the highest award for distinguished service to the profession given by the American Political Science Association.

The focus of Elshtain's work is an exploration of the relationship between politics and ethics. Much of her work is concerned with the parallel development of male and female gender roles as they pertain to public and private social participation. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks she has been one of the more visible academic supporters of U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Jean Bethke Elshtain, scholar of religion and political philosophy, 1941-2013 http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013...

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in essence about our need to disagree well, which is the mark of a healthy democratic society. Yet that is the thing we seem unable and unwilling to do, thus democracy today is “on trial.” This book is a very humane and learned set of academic reflections and arguments about the public virtues and ideals citizens must share if we are going to make it as a democratic society, and names some of the ways the left and the right today seem committed to doing just the opposite. Some will attack the book due to Elshtain’s conservative (classical liberal) intellectual tradition, but I think that’s a pretty lame assessment of this fair and challenging book. There’s plenty for every truth-seeking citizen, left or right, to agree, and hopefully, disagree, with.

[Trice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't agree with all of her conclusions, but no matter one's political stance (and I loved that in a 1993 book she mentions the problem of the great stratification and gaping division in US politics) I believe this would be an insightful read on democracy past, present and future, as well as, at least touching, on motivations of those who take violent action rather than working through a complicated and disillusioning (Vaclav Havel says this last is a positive attribute) democratic process.... just read news about the bombing at the Boston marathon which seems so very strange in the midst of tragedies of life and limb. And while it is obviously bigger than any comments I might make on this book, it's making me think back an hour or so on Elshtain's remarks about utopians of various stripes who determine that others should be coerced to live their personal vision of the good life rather than compromising so that each person might choose, taking up responsibility for selves and community, to pursue their own vision of the good life.

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I never seem to get around to typing in quotations that are particularly insightful and/or helpful, but maybe with this one at some point.

She's also left me with a number of references and/or authors to read, some of whom are already on my list and have been moved up (mentally anyway) due to what she reveals about their writing. Among them:
-Václav Havel (whose books I actually had on my shelves for a number of years in the US but which I never quite managed to get around to and which I didn't bring with me, though I have a biography of the man from my most recent trip back)
-Hannah Arendt
-Jane Addams - lady of Hull House and thus both well known and not-so-much

[Christina Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those of you who take an interest in the state of democracy in the world, and in particular, for my American readers, whose country often represents the battleground, Jean Bethke Elshtain’s 1993 Massey Lecture, “Democracy on Trial” is very much worth the read/listen. Prominent ethicist, political thinker, and philosopher, Elshtain’s analysis of the state of democracy, and its decline fits with those of her predecessors: Benda, Revel, Canetti, and with her modern day contemporaries: Applebaum, Snyder, and Gopnik, among others.

An analysis based in understanding the history and origins of democracy, Elshtain shows the weaknesses in the system that may ultimately lead to its demise. The principle of unity and community, the public, having a voice, is undercut by the overarching narrative of the individual - imposing their will at the expense of the very society which upholds their ‘rights’.

Of great value is Elshtain’s deep historical presentation of the situation in Athens and the opinion of those who were anti-democratic, principally, Plato. In that society, where the citizens were only representative of a small minority, we can see parallels to the development and state of our own democracies. The division of power and the responsibilities of government are difficult to manage. Today’s public, often undereducated and distracted, is quick to react and to employ mob mentalities - these being exploited by leaders to further their own agendas.

While Elshtain was writing and presenting this book in 1993, it is relevant still, and perhaps even more so.

[Joe Natali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elshtain approaches the problem of Democracy with an uncharacteristic optimism towards the promises of American idealism. While she provides a compelling case for the need to emphasize the subsequent interstitial obligations coinciding with rights, her elevation of the democratic need for compromise falls flat in the face of egregious institutionalized injustices. Ultimately, Elshtain’s work remains pertinent for the democratic citizen despite its faults.

[Samuel Kalergis]

Si bien no concuerdo con muchas de sus ideas, creo que captura una parte importante de lo que es la democracia: no está compuesta solo por derechos, sino que también por deberes y responsabilidades. Nos exige una concepción más densa de la democracia, a no quedarnos en nuestras identidades privadas, incorporar una actitud pública, o por lo menos intentarlo, para reconocer a otros y buscar puntos comunes.

[Plants And · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, if a bit too scholarly for my capacity in some places. She addresses several issues from multiple perspectives, which lends credit to her overall assertion that we must learn how to recognize and respect other people's (and peoples') views.

Some of her observations and some of those she credits to others are remarkably timely in their predictions.

Overall, a healthy exercise for anyone who has a political consciousness at all.

[Peter Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated in certain regards, prescient in others. A great read.

[Jade Cahoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely, frighteningly, prescient.

[Arash Kamangir · Rating 5 out of 5]

خوب کتابی بود.