Athenian Political Thought and the Reconstitution of American Democracy

In the contemporary United States the image and experience of Athenian democracy has been appropriated to justify a profoundly conservative political and educational agenda. Such is the conviction expressed in this provocative book, which is certain to arouse widespread comment and discussion. What does it mean to be a citizen in a democracy? Indeed, how do we educate for democracy? These questions are addressed here by thirteen historians, classicists, and political theorists, who critically examine ancient Greek history and institutions, texts, and ideas in light of today's political practices and values. They do not idealize ancient Greek democracy. Rather, they use it, with all its faults, as a basis for measuring the strengths and shortcomings of American democracy. In the hands of the authors, ancient Greek sources become partners in an educational dialogue about democracy's past, one that goads us to think about the limitations of democracy's present and to imagine enriched possibilities for its future. The authors are diverse in their opinions and in their political and moral commitments. But they share the view that insulating American democracy from radical criticism encourages a dangerous complacency that Athenian political thought can disrupt. Norm And Form : The Constitutionalizing Of Democracy / Sheldon S. Wolin -- Democracy : An Idea Of Ambiguous Ancestry / Ellen Meiksins Wood -- The Creation Of A Legacy : A Manufactured Crisis In Eighteenth-century Thought / Jennifer Roberts -- Democracy, Power, And Imperialism In Fifth-century Athens / Kurt A. Raaflaub -- How To Criticize Democracy In Late Fifth- And Fourth-century Athens / Josiah Ober -- Frank Speech, Democracy, And Philosophy : Plato's Debt To A Democratic Strategy Of Civic Discourse / S. Sara Monoson -- Democracy And Political Theory : A Reading Of Plato's Gorgias / J. Peter Euben -- The Tragedy Of Critical Theory / Christopher Rocco -- The Melting Pot, The Mosaic, And The Agora / Barry S. Strauss -- Athenian Political Thought And The Feminist Politics Of Poiesis And Praxis / Warren J. Lane, Ann M. Lane -- The Zero Degree Of Society : Aristotle And The Athenian Citizen / Charles W. Hedrick, Jr. -- Two Democracies And Virtue / John R. Wallach. Edited By J. Peter Euben, John R. Wallach, And Josiah Ober. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 341-346) And Index. What does it mean to be a citizen in a democracy? This question is addressed here by thirteen historians, classicists, and political theorists, who examine ancient Greek institutions, texts, and ideas in light of today's political values.