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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
Christopher Beem is associate research professor of political science and managing director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy at Penn State University.
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.
