Democracy in Dark Times

by Jeffrey C. Isaac

Overview

"This is a truly illuminating and necessary book. Jeffrey Isaac lucidly explores the moral and political dilemmas of this turbulent fin-de-siecle, East and West. His passionate approach is inspired by a genuine moral vision that sees liberal democracy as an unfinished, continuously beleaguered project. Hannah Arendt and Albert Camus, I am sure, would have been in full agreement with his line of reasoning."—Vladimir Tismaneanu, University of Maryland, College Park

"This will be the first of the many recent books on Hannah Arendt to move beyond exegesis to engage in the kind of thinking about politics that she so valued. The book brings an Arendtian voice back into contemporary politics."—Lisa Disch, author of Hannah Arendt and the Limits of Philosophy

"Jeffrey Isaac's new book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to grapple seriously with the challenges confronting progressive democratic aspirations."—Ian Shapiro, Yale University

"This book reveals Isaac to be a first-rate essayist, a bold critic who writes about key issues of politics and democracy with learning, style, and power."—Robert A. Dahl, Yale University

"Persuaded by Jeffrey Isaac's argument about dark times, I nonetheless found these essays full of light—strong, lively, provocative, and even, despite themselves, encouraging. There can't be a renewal of democratic theory and practice without the kind of critique that Isaac provides."—Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801434426
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	04/15/1998
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	1600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jeffrey C. Isaac is Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of American Studies, Philosophy, and Jewish Studies at Indiana University. His previous books include Power and Marxist Theory: A Realist View, also from Cornell, and Arendt, Camus, and Modern Rebellion.

What People are Saying About This

Vladimir Tismaneanu

This is a truly illuminating and necessary book. Jeffrey Isaac lucidly explores the moral and political dilemmas of this turbulent fin-de-siècle, East and West. His passionate approach is inspired by a genuine moral vision that sees liberal democracy as an unfinished, continuously beleaguered project. Hannah Arendt and Albert Camus, I am sure, would have been in full agreement with his line of reasoning.

Michael Walzer

Persuaded by Jeffrey Isaac's argument about dark times, I nonetheless found these essays full of light—strong, lively, provocative, and even, despite themselves, encouraging. There can't be a renewal of democratic theory and practice without the kind of critique that Isaac provides.

Lisa Disch

This will be the first of the many recent books on Hannah Arendt to move beyond exegesis to engage in the kind of thinking about politics that she so valued. The book brings an Arendtian voice back into contemporary politics.

Robert A. Dahl

This book reveals Isaac to be a first-rate essayist, a bold critic who writes about key issues of politics and democracy with learning, style, and power.

From the Publisher

In this engaging and rewarding collection of essays, Jeffrey Isaac sets out to think through the difficulties and possibilities for 'democracy in dark times.'... In this serious but lively collection... Isaac has successfully taken this important project to heart.

Barbara Cruikshank

Isaac... delivers a compelling, if dark, portrait of the present... his essays are eloquent and readable.

Ian Shapiro

Jeffrey Isaac's new book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to grapple seriously with the challenges confronting progressive democratic aspirations.

Editorial Reviews

In this rich collection of essays, Jeffrey Isaac provides a compelling and equally disturbing analysis of the prospects for a more radical liberal democratic praxis and a helpful guide to contemporary political theory.

Eric Gregory

In this rich collection of essays, Jeffrey Isaac provides a compelling and equally disturbing analysis of the prospects for a more radical liberal democratic praxis and a helpful guide to contemporary political theory.

--Eric Gregory "Journal of Religion"

From the Publisher