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Author Bernstein, Richard, 1944- author.

Title Dictatorship of virtue : multiculturalism, and the battle for America's future / Richard Bernstein.

Publication Info. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1994.
New York : Distributed by Random House, Inc.

Copies

Location Call No. Status
 South Windsor Public Library - Non Fiction  305.8 BERNSTEIN    Check Shelf
 University of Saint Joseph: Pope Pius XII Library - Standard Shelving Location  305.8 B531D    Check Shelf
Edition First edition.
Description 367 pages ; 25 cm
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents Prologue: Dérapage -- Elementary diversity -- Places of memory -- Advanced sensitivity -- Notebook -- Otherness in Queens -- The search for sin -- The secret victory -- The battle for Brookline and other struggles over young minds -- The battle of Texas -- The empty fortress.
Summary Multiculturalism - along with its synonym "diversity"--Has radically different meanings for two large segments of the American people. The conflict between these groups is now the source of bitter and widespread controversy and confrontation. It has become the issue in the last decade of the twentieth century. Dictatorship of Virtue is a passionate, provocative, and rigorously documented examination of multiculturalism - its noble roots and the abuses and excesses perpetrated in its name.
To its advocates, multiculturalism is simply an intense effort to include in the mainstream of American life groups of people who have been excluded or marginalized in the past. These advocates argue that the essentially European identity that has dominated American life until now must make room for other identities; "inclusion" is key.
To its critics, multiculturalism means in practice the opposite of what it means in theory: they see it as a new, easily reproducible boilerplate of received ideas and unexamined assumptions that insists on adherence - with truth and fairness often falling victim to the demands of ethnic or racial self-esteem.
Richard Bernstein takes us to the front lines of this war for America's intellectual future: battles over school curricula, local legislation, college reading lists, censorship and freedom of expression, and "sexist" language. He explores the burgeoning industry of "diversity training," the inroads of questionable scholarship, and the fates of men and women victimized by political correctness.
While applauding the true meaning of multiculturalism - equality of opportunity and social justice - Bernstein fears that there is a pulling away from certain cultural norms, adherence to which traditionally has enabled Americans to board the great engine of upward social mobility. Multiculturalism, that universe of good intentions born of the civil rights movement and deriving from principles all good people hold dear, has too often become a dictatorship of virtue.
What this means for our society and what we can do about it is brilliantly and lucidly presented in a book that will stand as an important contribution to the great debate of the nineties - and beyond.
Subject Multiculturalism -- United States.
Cultural pluralism -- United States.
United States -- Race relations.
United States -- Ethnic relations.
Multiculturalism -- United States.
Cultural pluralism -- United States.
United States -- Race relations.
United States -- Ethnic relations.
71.79 social problems and social conflicts: other. (NL-LeOCL)077597451
Pluralismo (Ciencias sociales) -- Estados Unidos.
United States -- Relaciones raciales.
United States -- Relaciones étnicas.
Cultural pluralism. (OCoLC)fst01715991
Ethnic relations. (OCoLC)fst00916005
Multiculturalism. (OCoLC)fst01028836
Race relations. (OCoLC)fst01086509
United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
Multikulturelle Gesellschaft (DE-588)4214151-5
Ethnische Beziehungen (DE-588)4176973-9
Ethnische Gruppe (DE-588)4153095-0
United States (DE-588)4078704-7
Intercultureel onderwijs.
Politieke conflicten.
Relativisme.
Onverdraagzaamheid.
United States.
Other Form: Online version: Bernstein, Richard, 1944- Dictatorship of virtue. 1st ed. New York : A.A. Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 1994 (OCoLC)624535125
ISBN 0679411569
9780679411567
0679763988 (pbk.)
9780679763987 (pbk.)
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