Democracy and the Ethical Life: A Philosophy of Politics and Community, Second Edition Expanded

This study goes to the heart of ethics and politics. Strongly argued and lucidly written, the book makes a crucial distinction between two forms of democracy. The author defends constitutional democracy as potentially supportive of the ethical life, while he criticizes the plebiscitary form of democracyas undermiining man's moral nature. The book includes an extensive interpretation and refutation of the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and offers a new perspective on the American Constitution and the relationship between moral community and self-interest. This edition includes an important new section on the common good and the state of Western democracy.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"One of the best books on the terrain where politics and morality precariously overlap, recommended vigorously to all who are concerned with the loss of political morality."--Peter Viereck

"An excellent and much needed analysis, and synthesis, of the relation of man's moral life to democratic, constitutional self rule."--Vera Lex

Author: Claes G. Ryn
Publisher: Catholic University of America Press
Published: 01/01/1990
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.34h x 5.45w x 0.67d
ISBN: 9780813207117