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Benjamin Barber is one of America’s preeminent political theorists. He has been a significant voice in the continuing debate about the nature and role of democracy in the contemporary world. A Passion for Democracy collects twenty of his most important writings on American democracy. Together they refine his distinctive position in democratic theory. Barber’s conception of 鈥渟trong democracy鈥� contrasts with traditional concepts of 鈥渓iberal democracy,鈥� especially in its emphasis on citizen participation in central issues of public debate. These essays critique the 鈥渢hin representation鈥� of liberal democracy and buttress the arguments presented in Barber’s twelve books, most recently in his well-received Jihad vs. McWorld: How Globalism and Tribalism Are Re-shaping the World. In these pieces, Barber argues for participatory democracy without dependence on abstract metaphysical foundations, and he stresses the relationship among democracy and civil society, civic education, and culture.



A Passion for Democracy is divided into four sections. In the first, 鈥淎merican Theory: Democracy, Liberalism, and Rights,鈥� Barber addresses issues of ongoing relevance to today’s debates about the roots of participatory democracy, including individualism vs. community, the importance of consent, and the irrelevance of Marxism. Essays in the second section, 鈥淎merican Practice: Leadership, Citizenship, and Censorship鈥� provide a 鈥渟trong democracy鈥� critique of American democratic practice. 鈥淓ducation for Democracy: Civic Education, Service, and Citizenship鈥� applies Barber’s theories to three related topics and includes his much-discussed essay 鈥淎merica Skips School.鈥� The final section, 鈥淒emocracy and Technology: Endless Frontier or End of Democracy?鈥� provides glimpses into a future that technology alone cannot secure for democracy.


In his preface, Barber writes: 鈥淚n these essays … I have been hard on my country. Like most ardent democrats, I want more for it than it has achieved, despite the fact that it has achieved more than most people have dared to want.鈥� This wide-ranging collection displays not only his passion for democracy, but also his unique perspective on issues of abiding importance for the democratic process.