Description
Book SynopsisArguing that the hegemony of the neoliberal/capitalist nexus must be challenged if we are to address the proliferating challenges facing our world, this inspiring book explains how democracy can revive the political fortunes of the left.
- Explores issues central to the civil uprisings that swept the world in 2011, drawing profound connections between democracy and neoliberalism in an urban context
- Features in-depth analysis of key political theorists such as Gramsci; Lefebvre; Rancière; Deleuze and Guattari; and Hardt and Negri
- Advocates the reframing of democracy as a personal and collective struggle to discover the best in ourselves and others
- Includes empirical analysis of recent instances of collective action
Trade Review“Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate collections.” (Choice, 1 December 2013)
“You can’t help but pick up a copy of The Down-Deep Delight of Democracy (DDDD) by Mark Purcell. The texture of its title – quadruple ‘D’ – and the promise of delight are irresistible. Its timely focus on democracy and the potential we have to become (more) democratic have much to offer critical geography. The idea that democratic futures can be grown from present democratic struggles and that as scholars we might contribute to this growth by recognizing and valuing them is especially important for future research agendas ... Purcell’s point is that people are finding their democratic strength in the world ... DDDD is a great start toward an examination of democratic possibilities.” (Antipode, 1 October 2013)
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments viii
1 What Is to Be Done? 1
2 What Democracy Means 29
3 Becoming Democratic 75
4 Becoming Active 92
5 Revolutionary Connections 122
6 Conclusion 143
References 159
Index 168
