Is This Any Way to Run a Democracy?
Nov 02, 2004America prides itself on being the oldest continuous democracy in the world. But criticisms of the America system are widespread.
This Boston Review article by William Scheuerman makes it clear there is a lot one can learn about democracy from Habermas. The famous intellectual's life has spanned from pre-Hitler Germany to Brexit and Trump. Habermas has thought about the rise of a sort of authoritarian populism and the value of an inclusive and equal public sphere. On top of his intellectual pursuits, he has made a concerted effort to not to restrict his thoughts on democracy to the philosophy seminar room.
But what is philosophy's role in these questions of democracy? Why does Habermas—or any of us, for that matter—value democracy in the first place?
Here's the full link:
http://bostonreview.net/philosophy-religion/william-e-scheuerman-habermas-and-fate-democracy
Also, tune in to this week's show on Habermas and Democracy, which will be broadcast live from the studios of KALW in San Francisco at noon today!
America prides itself on being the oldest continuous democracy in the world. But criticisms of the America system are widespread.
Americans value democracy, and expect others to value it. But is it a universal value? Does God, or rationality, or something very basi...
Democratic systems of government are supposed to reflect the interests of ordinary citizens, and not some shadowy political elite.
Liberal democracy has its problems, including the fact that in trying to build consensus, it often ends up oppressing minorities or those who dissent.
John Dewey is regarded by some as the American philosopher. In the first half of the 20th century, he stood as the most prominent publi...
Jürgen Habermas is regarded as one of the last great public intellectuals of Europe and a major contributor to the philosophy of democracy.
America prides itself on being the oldest continuous democracy in the world. But criticisms of the America system are widespread.
Americans value democracy, and expect others to value it. But is it a universal value? Does God, or rationality, or something very basi...
Democratic systems of government are supposed to reflect the interests of ordinary citizens, and not some shadowy political elite.
Liberal democracy has its problems, including the fact that in trying to build consensus, it often ends up oppressing minorities or those who dissent.
John Dewey is regarded by some as the American philosopher. In the first half of the 20th century, he stood as the most prominent publi...
Jürgen Habermas is regarded as one of the last great public intellectuals of Europe and a major contributor to the philosophy of democracy.