The Truth of Power: Intellectual Affairs in the Clinton White House - Couverture rigide

Barber, Benjamin R.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0393020142 ISBN 13 : 9780393020144

Editeur : WW Norton & Co, 2001

Synopsis

President Clinton had a romance with big ideas. He cultivated intellectuals intently, seducing them with his characteristic charm and the promise of real influence on the political stage. "The Truth of Power" captures how Clinton's seductive charisma and the high hopes of the '60s generation came together in an exhilarating and disappointing "affair". Drawing on his six years of experience as an informal adviser to the president, Benjamin R. Barber reflects on the relationship between power and ideals, visionary leadership and pragmatic politics. Should ideas have a claim on presidential power, or is leadership by polling actually more in tune with the demands of democracy? What happens to intellectuals seduced by presidential attention? And will the future grant Clinton a substantial legacy?

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

President Clinton had a romance with big ideas. He intently cultivated intellectuals, seducing them with his characteristic charm and with the promise of real influence on the political stage. Yet most often he disappointed the big thinkers whose advice he sought. Benjamin Barber was first invited to Camp David in 1994, along with other prominent members of the academic community, to participate in a "seminar" with President Clinton on the future of Democratic ideas and ideals. Afterwards, he became a steady informal adviser to the White House. For a politically committed professor like Barber, the opportunity was exhilarating here was an opportunity to put ideas into action, to link ideas to power. The result was enlightening, if unexpected. The most unpredictable factor was the president himself: a man of astonishing intellectual gifts, a consummate listener and synthesizer of ideas, who nonetheless failed to present a stirring progressive vision or even to craft a memorable speech.With great perceptiveness, wit, and elan, Barber provides a startling meditation on truth and power and the truth of power, which is the responsibility of the elected not to an idea but to the electorate. He identifies the fault lines that future progressive candidates must straddle if they are to win and the gift they must have, if they are to be great, of calling forth the best in their fellow citizens. In the end, Barber give us a unique portrait of our compelling and maddening ex-president, and the hopes and disillusionments he represents.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: WW Norton & Co
• Date d'édition: 2001
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0393020142
• ISBN 13: 9780393020144
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 256
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible