Description

Book Synopsis
Tracing the history of a salient idea in American political thought, this book elucidates the assumptions underlying participatory democracy. It also assesses both its usefulness and coherence, and reveals it to be less a theory than a faith - a faith that has largely failed to follow through on its promise.

Trade Review

An impressive book.... It has particular strengths in its comprehensive treatment of each thinker, its lucid and readable presentation, and the author's considerable ability to clarify what are sometimes difficult and even technical aspects of each thinker's philosophy.

-- Patrick J. Deneen, Georgetown University

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Charles Peirce: The Joyful Nirvana of the Unlimited Community
2. The Lonely Courage of William James
3. The John Dewey School of Democracy
4. C. Wright Mills: The Oracle of the New Left
5. Sheldon Wolin and Melancholic Democracy
6. Benjamin Barber and Quixotic Democracy
7. Participatory Democracy: An Impoverished Theory and Its Legacy
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index

American Pragmatism and Democratic Faith

    Product form

    A Hardback by Robert Lacey

    £37.05

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £39.00 – you save £1.95 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 7 Nov 2026.

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of American Pragmatism and Democratic Faith by Robert Lacey

      Book details

      Publisher Cornell University Press
      Published 14 November 2007
      ISBN-13 9780875803791
      978-0875803791
      ISBN-10 0875803792

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Tracing the history of a salient idea in American political thought, this book elucidates the assumptions underlying participatory democracy. It also assesses both its usefulness and coherence, and reveals it to be less a theory than a faith - a faith that has largely failed to follow through on its promise.

      Trade Review

      An impressive book.... It has particular strengths in its comprehensive treatment of each thinker, its lucid and readable presentation, and the author's considerable ability to clarify what are sometimes difficult and even technical aspects of each thinker's philosophy.

      -- Patrick J. Deneen, Georgetown University

      Table of Contents

      Table of Contents
      Acknowledgments
      Introduction
      1. Charles Peirce: The Joyful Nirvana of the Unlimited Community
      2. The Lonely Courage of William James
      3. The John Dewey School of Democracy
      4. C. Wright Mills: The Oracle of the New Left
      5. Sheldon Wolin and Melancholic Democracy
      6. Benjamin Barber and Quixotic Democracy
      7. Participatory Democracy: An Impoverished Theory and Its Legacy
      Epilogue
      Notes
      Bibliography
      Index

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account