Virtue and Irony in American Democracy

Revisiting Dewey and Niebuhr

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Ethics, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book Virtue and Irony in American Democracy by Daniel A. Morris, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Daniel A. Morris ISBN: 9781498500753
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: July 1, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Daniel A. Morris
ISBN: 9781498500753
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: July 1, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

What virtues are necessary for democracy to succeed? This book turns to John Dewey and Reinhold Niebuhr, two of America’s most influential theorists of democracy, to answer this question. Dewey and Niebuhr both implied—although for very different reasons—that humility and mutuality are important virtues for the success of people rule. Not only do these virtues allow people to participate well in their own governance, they also equip us to meet challenges to democracy generated by free-market economic policy and practices. Ironically, though, Dewey and Niebuhr quarreled with each other for twenty years and missed the opportunity to achieve political consensus. In their discourse with each other they failed to become “one out of many,” a task that is distilled in the democratic rallying cry “e pluribus unum.” This failure itself reflects a deficiency in democratic virtue. Thus, exploring the Dewey/Niebuhr debate with attention to their discursive failures reveals the importance of a third virtue: democratic tolerance. If democracy is to succeed, we must cultivate a deeper hospitality toward difference than Dewey and Niebuhr were able to extend to each other.

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

What virtues are necessary for democracy to succeed? This book turns to John Dewey and Reinhold Niebuhr, two of America’s most influential theorists of democracy, to answer this question. Dewey and Niebuhr both implied—although for very different reasons—that humility and mutuality are important virtues for the success of people rule. Not only do these virtues allow people to participate well in their own governance, they also equip us to meet challenges to democracy generated by free-market economic policy and practices. Ironically, though, Dewey and Niebuhr quarreled with each other for twenty years and missed the opportunity to achieve political consensus. In their discourse with each other they failed to become “one out of many,” a task that is distilled in the democratic rallying cry “e pluribus unum.” This failure itself reflects a deficiency in democratic virtue. Thus, exploring the Dewey/Niebuhr debate with attention to their discursive failures reveals the importance of a third virtue: democratic tolerance. If democracy is to succeed, we must cultivate a deeper hospitality toward difference than Dewey and Niebuhr were able to extend to each other.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Law Enforcement in the Age of Black Lives Matter by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Sinclair Lewis and American Democracy by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Utopian Movements and Ideas of the Great Depression by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book African Pasts, Presents, and Futures by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Neither Victim nor Survivor by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Andrew Carnegie by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Art for Social Change and Cultural Awakening by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Mediation, Conciliation, and Emotions by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Divergent Paths by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Decline of the U.S. Hegemony? by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Romantic Ecocriticism by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Latinas in American Politics by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book A Legislative History of the Taiwan Relations Act by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Biblical Bethsaida by Daniel A. Morris
Cover of the book Conceptual Aphasia in Black by Daniel A. Morris
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