Democracy is Dangerous Resisting the Tyranny of the Majority

by Safford, John L.

• ISBN13: 9780761824596
• ISBN10: 0761824596
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-23
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

In Democracy is Dangerous, Safford maintains that democracy is disadvantageous to economic and intellectual elites. The author dwells upon the problem of "the tyranny of the majority," which Alexis de Tocqueville employed to describe American democracy, and which Lani Guinier also used to describe the purpose behind her legal writings. Rather than adopting an uncritical, enthusiastic view of democracy, this work underscores the perspective of those who perceive themselves as being vulnerable to majority tyranny. It is especially relevant at this time because of the recent revolutions throughout Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

Author Biography

John L. Safford is Professor of Government and Philosophy at the University of South Carolina Sumter.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Acknowledgments	xi
Classical Reflections on Majority Tyranny	1	(24)
The Tension Between Liberty and Equality	25	(16)
Socialism and Democracy	41	(18)
Capitalism and Democracy	59	(20)
The Intellectual Elite in a Democratic Society	79	(24)
The Minority Veto	103	(14)
John C. Calhoun
Lani Guinier
Democracy and Sovereignty: Worldwide Democracy Implies Worldwide Federalism	117	(28)
Balancing Liberty, Order, and Equality	145	(14)
Glossary	159	(6)
Bibliography	165	(8)
Index	173