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Reinhold Niebuhr helps us to understand why our politics is broken and research on the brain confirms his analysis: we are all vain and self-righteous, and far too quick to reject anyone who thinks otherwise. To restore a democracy that works, we need to understand ourselves better and develop the humility such knowledge should engender.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Moderating our Pretensions: Niebuhr on Being Human
Chapter 2: Between Sentimentality and Pessimism: Niebuhr on Democracy
Chapter 3: Neuroscientists for Niebuhr
Chapter 4: Rattlers and Eagles/Democrats and Republicans
Chapter 5: Partisan Infotainment: A New Business Model for the New Media
Chapter 6: Partisan Infotainment and Democracy: Not All Bad, Not Half Good
Chapter 7: Weapons and Instruments: Using Government to Fix Government
Chapter 8: Religion: "a constant fount of humility"
Chapter 9: "Guardians of Democracy": Democratic Humility through Civic Education
Conclusion: Democratic Humility
About the author
By Christopher Beem
Summary
Reinhold Niebuhr helps us to understand why our politics is broken and research on the brain confirms his analysis: we are all vain and self-righteous, and far too quick to reject anyone who thinks otherwise. To restore a democracy that works, we need to understand ourselves better and develop the humility such knowledge should engender.
