Civility and Subversion: The Intellectual in Democratic Society

by Jeffrey C. Goldfarb

Overview

This book provides a new account of the role of the intellectual in democracy. Arguing that society suffers from a systemic deliberation deficit, Jeffrey Goldfarb explores the potential of the intellectual as democratic agent, civilizing political contestation and subverting complacent consensus. Intellectuals are special kinds of "strangers" who pay careful attention to their critical faculties and are uniquely equipped to address the most pressing issues of today. A diverse set of intellectuals in action are analyzed, from Socrates to Central European political dissidents, from Malcolm X to Toni Morrison.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521622202
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/12/1998
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.75(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Who are the intellectuals?; 3. The civil intellectual and the public; 4. The subversive intellectual and the public; 5. The civil society ideal; 6. The intellectuals and the politics of culture after Communism; 7. The university; 8. Race and discursive disruption; 9. Race and sustained deliberation; 10. Why is there no feminism after Communism?; 11. Civility and subversion in cynical times.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a serious book by an exceptionally thoughtful, learned scholar." Canadian Journal of Sociology Online

"This is a fine book. It is also an honest book. It avoids easy rhetoric and facile posturing. It will, no doubt, annoy some of its readers. It contributes to an important debate, the significance of which extendds beyond the confines of the American academy." Jeremy Jennings, Social Forces

From the Publisher