Check nearby libraries
Buy this book
In this challenging work, Christopher Lasch makes his most accessible critique yet of what is wrong with the values and beliefs of America's professional and managerial elites.
The distinguished historian argues that democracy today is threatened not by the masses, as Jose Ortega y Gasset (The Revolt of the Masses) had said, but by the elites. These elites - mobile and increasingly global in outlook - refuse to accept limits or ties to nation and place. Lasch contends that, as they isolate themselves in their networks and enclaves, they abandon the middle class, divide the nation, and betray the idea of a democracy for all America's citizens.
The book is historical writing at its best, using the past to reveal the roots of our current dilemma. The author traces how meritocracy - selective elevation into the elite - gradually replaced the original American democratic ideal of competence and respect for every man. Among other cultural trends, he trenchantly criticizes the vogue for self-esteem over achievement as a false remedy for deeper social problems, and attacks the superior pseudoradicalism of the academic left.
Brilliantly he reveals why it is no wonder that Americans are apathetic about their common culture and see no point in arguing politics or voting.
Check nearby libraries
Buy this book
Previews available in: English
Subjects
Politics and government, Social conditions, Elite (Social sciences), Polarization (Social sciences), Democracy, Populism, Elites politicas, Sociale ongelijkheid, Conditions sociales, Démocratie, Elites, Democratie, Polarisation collective, Élite (Sciences sociales), Populisme, Politique et gouvernement, Democracia, Demokratie, Umschulungswerkstätten für Siedler und Auswanderer, Verlust, Politische Ethik, Politische Kultur, Politische Krise, Verantwortungsbewusstsein, Elite, Social classes, Upper class, New York Times reviewedPlaces
United States, États-UnisTimes
1945-, 20th century, 20e siècleShowing 4 featured editions. View all 4 editions?
Edition | Availability |
---|---|
1
Jing ying de fan pan: The Revolt of the elites : and the betrayal of democracy
2008, Shang zhou chu ban, Ying shu Gaimanqundao shang jia ting chuan mei gu fen you xian gong si cheng bang fen gong si fa xing
in Chinese
- Chu ban
9866662896 9789866662898
|
zzzz
Libraries near you:
WorldCat
|
2
The Revolt of the Elites: And the Betrayal of Democracy
January 1996, W. W. Norton & Company
in English
0393313719 9780393313710
|
aaaa
Libraries near you:
WorldCat
|
3
The Revolt of the Elites: And the Betrayal of Democracy
January 1996, W. W. Norton & Company
in English
0393313719 9780393313710
|
eeee
|
4
The revolt of the elites: and the betrayal of democracy
1995, W.W. Norton
Hardcover
in English
- 1st ed.
0393036995 9780393036992
|
eeee
Libraries near you:
WorldCat
|
Book Details
First Sentence
"Most of my recent work comes back in one way or another to the question of whether democracy has a future."
ID Numbers
Excerpts
Links outside Open Library
Community Reviews (0)
Feedback?History
- Created April 29, 2008
- 7 revisions
Wikipedia citation
×CloseCopy and paste this code into your Wikipedia page. Need help?
October 25, 2011 | Edited by ImportBot | import new book |
August 5, 2010 | Edited by IdentifierBot | added LibraryThing ID |
April 24, 2010 | Edited by Open Library Bot | Fixed duplicate goodreads IDs. |
April 16, 2010 | Edited by bgimpertBot | Added goodreads ID. |
April 29, 2008 | Created by an anonymous user | Imported from amazon.com record |