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
- ISBN10 0807103527
- ISBN13 9780807103524
- Publish Date 1 January 1978
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 12 February 1993
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Louisiana State University Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 218
- Language English