Deep Democracy: Community, Diversity, and Transformation [Paperback]

Judith M. Green (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 084769271X | ISBN-13: 978-0847692712 | Publication Date: October 13, 1999

Deeply understood, democracy is more than a 'formal' institutional framework for which America provides the model, acting as a preferable alternative to the modern totalitarian regimes that have distorted social life around the world. At its core, as John Dewey understood, democracy is a realistic ideal, a desired and desirable future possibility that is yet-to-be. In this period of global crises in differing cultures, a shared environment, and an increasingly globalized political economy, this book provides a clear contemporary articulation of deep democracy that can guide an evolutionary deepening of democratic institutions, of habits of the heart, and of the processes of education and social inquiry that support them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Green argues for a concept of democracy that moves beyond the conflict between the individual and community, quietism and activism, multiculturalism and monoculturalism, and theory in opposition to practice. In a house of darkness--a world plagued by ethnic wars, class conflict, and sexual exploitation--a strenuously researched and masterfully argued account of what democracy should mean is a welcomed beacon. (Harris, Leonard )

In this carefully researched and well-written volume, Judith Green moves philosophy off the drawing board into the rough-and-tumble world where life and death decisions are made. Her key theme is location-specific action based on experimentation, pluralism, and radical democracy. And her goal is nothing less than the transformation of culture from the street corner to the global marketplace. In her hands, philosophy becomes a set of public tasks. (Larry A. Hickman )

Judith Green has a powerful feel for the social, political and economic problems we face. Her book is a passionate plea for caring and intelligence in the way we treat others here and on the other side of the globe. In the best tradition of American philosophy, she presents concrete ideas for improving our practices. (John Lachs )

A valuable addition to the sparse, but growing literature on how democratic theory and practice can be used to transform a society that has been plagued by racism, sexism, and class oppression. (McGary, Howard )

Green's book touches on a number of interesting questions in democratic theory. (Philosophy In Review )

Deep Democracy is a refreshing and optimistic look at the usefulness of philosophy and philosopers, a well-researched study of theorists who model a commitment to human flourishing, a specific and well-grounded guidebook for building communities and recovering from "ontological rootlessness" and "existential nihilism", and an important call to philosophers to overcome their own theoretical differences and work toward "democratically deepening our hearts and minds" (xiii). (Journal Of Speculative Philosophy )

The need to give close attention to Deep Democracy has special urgency. Already an important contribution to democratic theory and pragmatic social thought, Deep Democracy holds significant potential in helping to guide the transformative democratic processes at work in the world today. The scholarship cotnained in these pages is formidable. (Transactions Of The Charles S. Pierce Society )

About the Author

Judith M. Green is associate professor of philosophy at Fordham University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (October 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084769271X
• ISBN-13: 978-0847692712
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,625,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Than Voting, May 25, 2001

By 

Dr. D. E. McClean (Dix Hills, New York) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Deep Democracy: Community, Diversity, and Transformation (Paperback)

Judith Green's book asks us to engage in what may be called a somewhat anti-Humean enterprise -- that is, to push-out rather than accept the assumed limits of our characters/human natures in order to engage in the kinds of cooperative activities that should lead to a better world. Invoking Deweyan experimentalism and (Alain) Lockean critical relativism, Green challenge us to create democratic imaginations that "go all the way down." Going all the way down means more than simply voting when called to do so, but to effectively see oneself as a serious bearer of responsibility for expanding the circles of community. Her notion of deep democracy is, therefore, quite Emersonian.

Although Deep Democracy is clearly written by someone grounded in philosophy and the realm of ideas, Green is not lost in mere theory. She brings to her analysis concrete empirical examples of the kind of experimentalism she advocates. One such example is the work of the Grameen Bank, which actively provides micro-loans to poor entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. She applauds the kind of risk-taking experimentalism that is evidenced by the bank's work, against critics who were pointing out that the frequency of loan repayment would be low (as it turns out, loan repayment is higher than in many First World contexts).

Deep Democracy is a challenge to our political imaginations. Having said that, what I would like to see in a future work by Green is more empirical analysis to support her lines of moral and political reasoning. For the work of philosophers must ultimately be joined to policy, as the work of policy is ultimately to establish health, security and freedom.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow, February 25, 2000

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george todd (denver,colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Democracy: Community, Diversity, and Transformation (Paperback)

The book is a plea for a more inclusive democracy. Drawing on the tradition of Dewey, it offers a great vision of community and what we can do to attain it. Sometimes, the passion overwhelms the logic, but this is an exciting read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deep Democracy in Daily Life: Quantum Democracy, November 2, 2004

By 

Stanford Siver (Portland, OR, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deep Democracy: Community, Diversity, and Transformation (Paperback)

Dr. Green does an excellent scholarly job of reviewing the philosophy of democracy. I'd recommend instead that readers consider Mindell's "The Leader as Martial Artist: An Introduction to Deep Democracy," which picks up where Green leaves off, furthers the theoretical basis for deep democracy, and provides practical tools for developing deep democracy in community, in relationship, as well as in inner-work.