We, the Sovereign

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book We, the Sovereign by Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gianpaolo Baiocchi ISBN: 9781509521395
Publisher: Wiley Publication: August 28, 2018
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Gianpaolo Baiocchi
ISBN: 9781509521395
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: August 28, 2018
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

What does it mean for the people to actually rule? Formal democracy is an empty and cynical shell, while the nationalist Right claims to advance its anti-democratic project in the name of ‘the People’. How can the Left respond in a way that is true to both its radical egalitarianism and its desire to transform the real world?

In this book, Gianpaolo Baiocchi argues that the only answer is a radical utopia of popular self-rule. This means that the ‘people’ who rule must be understood as a demos that is totally open, inclusive and egalitarian, constantly expanding its boundaries. But it also means that sovereignty must be absolute, possessing total power over all relevant decisions that impact the conditions of life. Only, he argues, by a process of explosive and creative tension between this radical view of the ‘we’ and an absolute idea of the ‘sovereign’ can we transform our approach to political parties and state institutions and make them instruments of total emancipation.

Illustrated by the real-life experiences of movements throughout the world, from Latin America to Southern Europe, Baiocchi’s provocative vision will be essential reading for all activists who want to understand the true meaning of radical democracy in the 21st century.

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

What does it mean for the people to actually rule? Formal democracy is an empty and cynical shell, while the nationalist Right claims to advance its anti-democratic project in the name of ‘the People’. How can the Left respond in a way that is true to both its radical egalitarianism and its desire to transform the real world?

In this book, Gianpaolo Baiocchi argues that the only answer is a radical utopia of popular self-rule. This means that the ‘people’ who rule must be understood as a demos that is totally open, inclusive and egalitarian, constantly expanding its boundaries. But it also means that sovereignty must be absolute, possessing total power over all relevant decisions that impact the conditions of life. Only, he argues, by a process of explosive and creative tension between this radical view of the ‘we’ and an absolute idea of the ‘sovereign’ can we transform our approach to political parties and state institutions and make them instruments of total emancipation.

Illustrated by the real-life experiences of movements throughout the world, from Latin America to Southern Europe, Baiocchi’s provocative vision will be essential reading for all activists who want to understand the true meaning of radical democracy in the 21st century.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book High-Frequency Magnetic Components by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Eldercare For Dummies by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book England and its Rulers by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Understanding the Gut Microbiota by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Graph Partitioning by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book The Cycle of Excellence by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Political Attitudes by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Lead Generation by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Vocabulary For Dummies by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Interior Design for Autism from Adulthood to Geriatrics by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Small Area Estimation by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Energy Storage in Power Systems by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Physik für Ingenieure und Naturwissenschaftler by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Organo Main Group Chemistry by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
Cover of the book Democracy and the Global Order by Gianpaolo Baiocchi
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