Democracy and the Ethical Life: A Philosophy of Politics and Community

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(as of Oct 12, 2026 23:38:46 UTC – Details)

This study goes to the heart of ethics and politics. Strongly argued and lucidly written, the book makes a crucial distinction between two forms of democracy. The author defends constitutional democracy as potentially supportive of the ethical life, while he criticizes the plebiscitary form of democracyas undermiining man’s moral nature. The book includes an extensive interpretation and refutation of the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and offers a new perspective on the American Constitution and the relationship between moral community and self-interest. This edition includes an important new section on the common good and the state of Western democracy.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Catholic University of America Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 1990
Edition ‏ : ‎ second edition, expanded
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813207118
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0813207117
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 0.67 x 8.34 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #2,537,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3,008 in Democracy (Books) #9,730 in History & Theory of Politics #62,349 in Philosophy (Books)
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