| Description |
xiv, 172 pages ; 22 cm |
| Summary |
"Many of the successful campaigns for national liberation in the years following World War II were initially based on democratic and secular ideals. Once established, however, the newly independent nations had to deal with entirely unexpected religious fierceness. Michael Walzer, one of America's foremost political thinkers, examines this perplexing trend by studying India, Israel, and Algeria, three nations whose founding principles and institutions have been sharply attacked by three completely different groups of religious revivalists: Hindu militants, ultra-Orthodox Jews and messianic Zionists, and Islamic radicals. In his provocative, well-reasoned discussion, Walzer asks why these secular democratic movements have failed to sustain their hegemony: Why have they been unable to reproduce their political culture beyond one or two generations? In a postscript, he compares the difficulties of contemporary secularism to the successful establishment of secular politics in the early American republic--thereby making an argument for American exceptionalism but gravely noting that we may be less exceptional today"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
The paradox of national liberation -- The paradox illustrated : Zionism vs. Judaism -- The paradox denied : marxist perspectives -- The future of national liberation -- Postscript. |
| Subject |
Democracy -- Developing countries -- Case studies.
|
|
Political culture -- Developing countries -- Case studies.
|
|
Secularism -- Developing countries -- Case studies.
|
|
Religious fundamentalism -- Developing countries -- Case studies.
|
|
POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom & Security / General.
|
|
RELIGION / Religion, Politics & State.
|
|
HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century.
|
|
Democracy. (OCoLC)fst00890077
|
|
Political culture. (OCoLC)fst01069263
|
|
Religious fundamentalism. (OCoLC)fst01094078
|
|
Secularism. (OCoLC)fst01110732
|
|
Developing countries. (OCoLC)fst01242969
|
| Genre/Form |
Case studies. (OCoLC)fst01423765
|
| ISBN |
9780300187809 hardcover |
|
0300187807 hardcover |
|
