{"product_id":"democracy-on-trial-9780465016174","title":"Democracy On Trial","description":"\u003cp\u003eEven as Russia and the other former Soviet republics struggle to redefine themselves in democratic terms  our own democracy if faltering  not flourishing. We confront one another as aggrieved groups rather than as free citizens. Cynicism  boredom  apathy  despair  violencethese have become coin of the civic realm. They are dark signs of the times and a warning that democracy may not be up to the task of satisfying the yearnings it unleashesyearnings for freedom  fairness  and equality.In this timely  thought-provoking book  one of Americas leading political philosophers and public intellectuals questions whether democracy will prove sufficiently robust and resilient to survive the century. Beginning with a catalogue of our discontents  Jean Bethke Elshtain asks what has gone wrong and why. She draws on examples from America and other parts of the world as she explores the politics of race  ethnicity  and gender identitycontroversial  and essential  political issues of our day. Insisting that there is much to cherish in our democratic traditions  she concludes that democracy involves a permanent clash between conservatism and progressive change.Elshtain distinguishes her own position from those of both the Left and the Right  demonstrating why she has been called one of our most interesting and independent civic thinkers. Responding to critics of democracy  ancient and modern  Elshtain urges us to have the courage of our most authentic democratic convictions. We need  she insists  both hope and a sense of reality.Writing her book for citizens  not experts  Elshtain aims to open up a dialogue and to move us beyond sterile sectarian disputes. Democracy on Trial will generate wide debate and controversy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67924547338293,"sku":"ByrdShop_0465016170","price":59.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780465016174.jpg?v=1794135984","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/democracy-on-trial-9780465016174","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}