Communicative Action: The Logos Interviews (Logos: Perspectives on Modern Society and Culture)

This volume of interviews from the popular online journal Logos are organized around the critical and formative themes of the decline of politics and culture, the rise in American imperialism, the crisis in the Middle East and the need to forge new alternatives and modes of resistance. The insights and challenges offered in the interviews are crucial for active thinkers looking to respond thoughtfully, effectively and conscientiously to the crises that shape our times. This Volume Of Interviews From The Popular Online Journal Logo, Are Organized Around The Critical And Interconnected Themes Of The Decline Of Politics And Culture, Neo-liberalism And The Rise Of American Imperialism, The Crisis In The Middle East And The Need To Forge Alternative Visions And Effective Modes Of Resistance In Contemporary Struggle. These Interviews Offer Key Insights And Galvanizing Challenges To Critically Thinking Scholars And Citizens Engaged In Analyzing And Struggling Against Current Injustices. Although The Interviews Were Conducted During The Presidency Of George W. Bush, They Are Especially Relevant Now. These Critical Insights And Demands Should Not Be Abandoned Because Of The Ease And Relief Engendered By The Election Of Barack Obama. Because Of The Volume's Concern With Defending Democracy Against The Incursions Of Empire, The Text Emphasizes The Need To Reinvigorate Discourse And Rebuild The Public Sphere. The Primary Method Of Accomplishing These Ends, Frank And Honest Dialogue, Is Built Into The Very Structure Of The Text. The Insights And Challenges Offered In The Interviews Are Crucial For Active Thinkers Looking To Respond Thoughtfully, Effectively And Conscientiously To The Crises That Shape Our Times.--publisher's Website. Part 1: The Declining State Of Politics And Culture. A Conversation With Benjamin Barber ; A Conversation With Studs Terkel ; A Conversation With Frances Fox Piven. -- Part Ii: The Rise Of Neoliberalism, Imperialism And American Hegemony. A Conversation With Cornel West ; A Conversation With Daniel Ellsberg ; A Conversation With Jurgen Habermas ; A Conversation With David Harvey ; A Conversation With Benny Morris. -- Part Iii: Crisis In The Middle East. A Conversation With Rashid Khalidi ; A Conversation With Ilan Pappe ; A Conversation With Tariq Ali ; A Conversation Between American And Iraqi Intellectuals. -- Part Iv: Alternative Visions And Modes Of Resistance. A Conversation With Saad Eddin Ibrahim ; A Conversation With Bianca Jagger ; A Conversation With Peter Singer ; About The Interviewees. Edited By Amy L. Buzby. Includes Index. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Introduction......Page 9 Section One: THE DECLINING STATE OF POLITICS AND CULTURE......Page 21 An Interview with Benjamin Barber......Page 23 An Interview with Studs Terkel......Page 35 An Interview with Frances Fox Piven......Page 45 Section Two: THE RISE OF NEO-LIBERALISM, IMPERIALISM, AND AMERICAN HEGEMONY......Page 55 An Interview with Cornel West: Empire, Pragmatism, and War......Page 57 An Interview with Daniel Ellsberg......Page 73 An Interview with Jürgen Habermas: America and the World......Page 87 An Interview with David Harvey......Page 107 An Interview with Benny Morris: Survival of the Fittest?......Page 115 Section Three: CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST......Page 129 An Interview with Rashid Khalidi: The Middle East......Page 131 An Interview with Ilan Pappe: Power and History in the Middle East......Page 145 An Interview with Tariq Ali: A Clash of Civilizations or Fundamentalisms?......Page 153 An Interview between American and Iraqi Intellectuals: Baghdad, Iraq—January 16, 2003......Page 159 Section Four: ALTERNATIVE VISIONS AND MODES OF RESISTANCE......Page 173 An Interview with Saad Eddin Ibrahim: The Prospect for Democracy in the Middle East......Page 175 An Interview with Bianca Jagger......Page 183 An Interview with Peter Singer: Practicing Ethics in the New Millennium......Page 199 Sources......Page 207 Index......Page 209 About the Editor......Page 219 About the Interviewees......Page 221 Lexington Books 9780739139745 Contents 6 Preface 8 Introduction 9 Section One: THE DECLINING STATE OF POLITICS AND CULTURE 21 An Interview with Benjamin Barber 23 An Interview with Studs Terkel 35 An Interview with Frances Fox Piven 45 Section Two: THE RISE OF NEO-LIBERALISM, IMPERIALISM, AND AMERICAN HEGEMONY 55 An Interview with Cornel West: Empire, Pragmatism, and War 57 An Interview with Daniel Ellsberg 73 An Interview with J眉rgen Habermas: America and the World 87 An Interview with David Harvey 107 An Interview with Benny Morris: Survival of the Fittest? 115 Section Three: CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST 129 An Interview with Rashid Khalidi: The Middle East 131 An Interview with Ilan Pappe: Power and History in the Middle East 145 An Interview with Tariq Ali: A Clash of Civilizations or Fundamentalisms? 153 An Interview between American and Iraqi Intellectuals: Baghdad, Iraq鈥擩anuary 16, 2003 159 Section Four: ALTERNATIVE VISIONS AND MODES OF RESISTANCE 173 An Interview with Saad Eddin Ibrahim: The Prospect for Democracy in the Middle East 175 An Interview with Bianca Jagger 183 An Interview with Peter Singer: Practicing Ethics in the New Millennium 199 Sources 207 Index 209 About the Editor 219 About the Interviewees 221