Democracy Matters

Winning the Fight Against Imperialism

By: Cornel West

Narrated by: Cornel West

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Democracy Matters is Cornel West's bold and powerful critique of the troubling deterioration of democracy in America in this threatening post-9/11 age of terrorist rage and imperial overreach, and an inspiring call for a resurgence of the deep democratic tradition in our country, which has waged war on the forces of imperialist corruption throughout our history.

Praised by The New York Times for his "ferocious moral vision", West, in this vital sequel to his major best seller and contemporary classic Race Matters, returns to the analysis of what he calls the arrested development of democracy, both in America and in the Middle East, with a hard-hitting diagnosis. A callous free-market fundamentalism, an aggressive militarism, and an insidious authoritarianism are driving a bullying imperialism.

But there is a rich and empowering tradition in America to fervent commitment to the fight against imperialist corruptions, and West brings forth the trenchant voices of that great democratizing tradition, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Toni Morrison, in a brilliant and deeply moving call for the revival of our better democratic.

This impassioned and empowering call for the revitalization of America's democracy, by one of America's most distinctive and compelling social critics, will reshape the raging national debate about America¿s role in today's troubled world.

©2004 Cornel West (P)2004 Penguin Audio and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Uncompromising and unconventional.... Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude." (Newsweek)

"West reveals himself as a thinker of dazzling erudition, whose critiques are inevitably balanced by an infectious optimism and magnanimity of spirit" (The Village Voice)

WOW!!!!!! MUST READ!!!!

You will find very few books that will be able to do what this book does. From history, to the release date, on to the future and now, complete analyst on democracy through race, religion, foreign affairs, and more! Simply Amazing!

What I’ve been hungering for

Stirring, unsettling, inspiring. This is the vision of democracy that we all need. Dr West speaks to issues of equality with a welcoming evangelical zeal that is conspicuously missing from the modern anti-establishment discourse.

Very insightful

Loved it! An excellent breakdown of American democracy , and the misconception some have of why democracy matters.

Outstanding!!

All I thought and more. West's writing is thought provoking and insightful. I decided to buy a physical copy after listening so I can truly breakdown and study his philosophical analysis.

A rich consideration of American democracy

Both intellectually rich and accessible to a general audience--a rich consideration of the American democratic tradition from an African American perspective

Thank you

Your voice is a source of LOVE AND EDUCATION. Thank you from AMERICA 🇺🇸 in 2020 endlessly attracted by violence

Don't put a label on him so quickly!

I have been a fan Dr. West for many years now and was glad to find this book on audible read by West himself. I like that he keeps a motivating twist on things and points to love over nihilism that our culture keeps finding its self in. I like that he does not fit into the two party system but is NOT a socialist either. Yes he did promote Obama but also chastised him after he fell short after his election. He really cares for people and preaches non violence like his mentors did. If you get a chance listen to his speeches on YouTube first.

Well written, a refreshing voice of inspiration

This book is a joy to read. The key to understanding it however is to learn to read it as more of a sermon on social issues than an intellectual lecture full of well-supported postulating. The reason for this is that he basically glides from point to point without pausing to indulge us in much "evidence." This sounds more dubious from an outsider's perspective than it actually is in fact. You have to maintain the understanding that we are in an age where statistics seem to rule all in the world of policy, specifically on the left. While the right has only just begun to dabble in research and statistics (what with the emergence of pseudo-scientific institutions such as the Family Research Council), the left has seemingly abandoned the trumpet-call of values based purely on a belief structure, for cold, hard, facts.

While I don't necessarily prefer one over the other, I learned to love West's evangelistic approach as one sorely missing from the Progressive side of debate in this country. We've stopped claiming that we should fight poverty simply because it's the right and just thing to do, and instead started quoting figures about how much crime it creates or how much of a city's worth it destroys. West prefers the former approach, and if you're looking for more inspiration in your struggles than perspiration, this is the perfect choice for today's world.

Best review of history and America

Eloquent documented understanding of the need, deeper than politics, for compassion for self and all creation.

Wonderfully relevant

Wonderfully relevant and beautifully written exploration of Democracy. Cornel West rewards beautifully. Well worth your time