A Call to Dissent: Defending Democracy Against Extremism and Populism

Stuart Sim

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2022

A Call to Dissent

Defending Democracy Against Extremism and Populism

Stuart Sim

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474494960

Overview
Contents

About this book

A rallying cry to defend democracy from the evils of authoritarianism, prejudice, bigotry and apathy

Looks at how dissent can counter the move towards dogmatism and authoritarianism in Western democracies
Identifies a disturbing upsurge in prejudice and bigotry in contemporary politics and explores methods of resisting this
Argues that we should all take part in dissent in our everyday lives

Dogmatism, prejudice and bigotry are becoming ever more evident in Western politics. Divisive governments looking to cement their power strive to close down anyone who disagrees with them: political opponents, members of their own parties, the mainstream media, educators, protesters and, ultimately, voters.

A Call to Dissent defends dissent as an essential part of democracy. Stuart Sim argues that the political left are falling into despair in the face of growing right-wing populism and extremism, rather than challenging and standing up to it. Taking a wide view, he identifies how dissent works in philosophy, religion, science and the arts as well as in politics. Ultimately, he calls on all of us to become dissenters ourselves in order to challenge authority and counter the growth of prejudice and bigotry in public life.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	vi
Introduction: Addressing the Politics of Dissent Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1 Dissent under Threat Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
2 The State and Dissent: The Limits of Democracy Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	40
3 The Philosophy of Dissent Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
4 Religious Dissent Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
5 Dissent in the Sciences Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
6 Aesthetic Dissent Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	131
7 Internal Dissent: The Case for Self-Critique Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Conclusion: The Dissent Project Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	173
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	194
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	202

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 216
Keywords: Politics

eBook

Published: May 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781474494960