Democracy at the Crossroads Princes, Peasants, Poets, and Presidents in the Struggle for (and against) the Rule of Law

by Barnes, Craig S.

• ISBN13: 9781555917265
• ISBN10: 1555917267
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-11-01
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press - Fulcrum

Summary

Some were warriors. Some were lawyers, some historians, some moved by an inner passion so great that they appeared to move against kingly power like moths to the flame, risking, and often giving, their lives. They wrote, cajoled, and sometimes cried out for all to hear that the law is above the king.This fascinating treatise examines how Western ideals of democracy have evolved and emerged through the ages and across continents. Craig S. Barnes shares the inspiring stories of a diverse group of men and women (whether they be leaders, poets, or peasants) who pioneered due process, habeas corpus, and the balance of powers. Exploring the premise that "democracy is not a given in social evolution," Barnes contrasts the heroic figures of history to those in recent administrations who he argues have ignored the precious nature of our inheritance and have placed democracy at risk. Democracy at the Crossroads is a stirring reminder of the fragility of our rule of law and the need for vigilant protection of our hard-won liberties.Craig S. Barnes began his career as a public interest lawyer dealing with women's rights and the environment. He was also active in politics and civil rights, running for Congress in Denver as a peace candidate in 1970. He is the author of Growing Up True and In Search of the Lost Feminine.

Author Biography

Craig S. Barnes has been involved in public policy and women's rights throughout his career, serving as a lawyer, running for Congress, writing for the Rocky Mountain News, and serving as an international negotiator. He is the author of Growing Up True and In Search of the Lost Feminine. Barnes lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit his website at www.craig-barnes.com.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Prologue: John Cooke Indicts His Majesty the King	p. xix
A Pocket History of the Rule of Law
The Long Life of Lying	p. 1
The Short Life of an Honest Man in Rome	p. 5
The Miserable Life of a Peudal King	p. 9
The Half-life of Feudalism and the Birth of Law	p. 19
Poets as Midwives	p. 27
The Cradle Century	p. 39
A Rebel Even a King Would Save	p. 51
Unparalleled Courage, Fraud, and Revolution	p. 57
The Birth of a Republic	p. 73
Rebirth of the Feudal Mind in the United States
To Suspend the Law, Again	p. 85
Special Courts, Again	p. 101
War Privileges, Again	p. 113
The Law of Nations Ignored	p. 123
While Congress Slept	p. 133
Today's Tug-of-War	p. 137
American Values Deeper than Capitalism, Deeper than Law
Beyond the Eternal Order of Lying	p. 149
Beyond pure Self-Interest	p. 155
Beyond the Sword	p. 167
Beyond the Easy Lie	p. 177
Beyond Bribery	p. 185
An Age Ends
Finding Direction in a Time of Chaos	p. 197
Democracy at the Crossroads	p. 207
Notes	p. 217
Index	p. 233
About the Author	p. 243
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.