Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from Its Worst Enemies

Michael Signer

Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from Its Worst Enemies
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
Country
United Kingdom
Published
13 April 2009
Pages
272
ISBN
9780230606241

Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from Its Worst Enemies

Michael Signer

A demagogue is a tyrant who owes his initial rise to the democratic support of the masses. Huey Long, Hugo Chavez, and Moqtada al-Sadr are all clear examples of this dangerous byproduct of democracy. Demagogue takes a long view of the fight to defend democracy from within, from the brutal general Cleon in ancient Athens, the demagogues who plagued the bloody French Revolution, George W. Bush’s naIve democratic experiment in Iraq, and beyond. This compelling narrative weaves stories about some of history’s most fascinating figures, including Adolf Hitler, Senator Joe McCarthy, and General Douglas Macarthur, and explains how humanity’s urge for liberty can give rise to dark forces that threaten that very freedom. To find the solution to democracy’s demagogue problem, the book delves into the stories of four great thinkers who all personally struggled with democracy - Plato, Alexis de Tocqueville, Leo Strauss, and Hannah Arendt.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.