The Poverty of Progressivism: The Future of American Democracy in a Time of Liberal Decline

(Paperback)

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Linking together political theory, American history, journalism and contemporary commentary, this book defends a democratic politics of civil society without illusions.

Reviews

Anyone interested in the future of American politics should read The Poverty of Progressivism. Isaac has brilliantly dissected the current demise of liberalism and progressive thought. He sets out an alternative vision of how civil society and democratic participation might improve politics, without overplaying his argument. Isaac has renewed a form of political thought missing from contemporary academic lifehistorically informed and willing to engage contemporary realities and practical questions. -- Kevin Mattson, Ohio University
This chastening call for a decent, pragmatic, humanistic politics is an important intervention in public life by one of our most thoughtful political theorists. Situating current initiatives in historical context and reminding us not to confuse wishes with opportunities, The Poverty of Progressivism powerfully counsels a politics of non-grandiose experimentation to advance the core values of liberalism and democracy. -- Ira Katznelson, Columbia University
The Poverty of Progressivism is a beautifully written prod and a challenge to the contemporary left. It also challenges the right to take its rhetoric about decentralization and its devotion to local community seriously. Jeff Isaac has an exceptional gift for linking profound philosophical reflection with brilliant commentary on our current political condition. Thank God he has exercised it again. -- E. J. Dionne Jr., syndicated columnist and author of Why Americans Hate Politics
Jeff Isaac is one of those rare political theorists who is actually interested in and engaged with real politics. His analysis and critique of 'progressivism' is smart, toughminded, bracing, absolutely honest, sometimes grimand essential reading for political activists and for citizens generally. -- Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University
Isaac once again demonstrates he is a master comentator. * Perspectives on Politics *
Valuable and readable book. . . . The Poverty of Progressivism is a sharp challenge to that optimistic prospective. It illuminates the serious obstacles faced by the progressive revival, while also offering the neoprogressives a more realistic, if limited, alternative path. Isaac's book raises important theoretical issues about the need for progressives to construct strategic theories informed by a historically-informed democratic theory. Isaac eloquently calls on progressives to see their task like the unending burden of Sisyphus who, on Camus' retelling, found endurance by focusing on the rock itself, rather than on his repeated failures to push it all the way to the mountaintop. * New Political Science *

Author Bio

Jeffrey C. Isaac is James H. Rudy Professor of Political Science and the director of the Center for the Study of Democracy at Indiana University.