Burnt by Democracy: Youth, Inequality, and the Erosion of Civic Life

Burnt by Democracy explores the political ascendance of neoliberalism and its effects on youth, highlighting significant cuts to social and affordable housing, astronomical increases in the costs of higher education, and the transformation and erosion of state benefits systems. It argues that democracys decline is not due to apathy or ignorance but to collective misunderstanding about how democracy is structured, how individuals learn to participate, and how growing wealth inequality has undermined the capacity of those at the bottom to advocate for changes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 23 December 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Burnt by Democracy: The Political Ascendancy of Neoliberalism and Its Effects on Youth
Democracy and citizenship are explored in the book Burnt by Democracy through interviews with over forty young people aged 16 to 30 who have experienced homelessness or identify as activists living in five liberal democracies: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Jacqueline Kennelly argues that the decline of democracy is not due to young people's apathy, focus on informal politics, or lack of awareness of their civic duties, but rather to a collective misunderstanding of how democracy is structured, how individuals learn to participate, and how growing wealth inequality has undermined the capacity of those at the bottom to meaningfully advocate for changes that might improve their conditions. Against a backdrop of stories from young people struggling to survive and thrive under conditions of ever-expanding state retrenchment and inequality, Burnt by Democracy makes a timely and impassioned plea for protecting and strengthening democracy by truly levelling the playing field for all.

Democracy and Citizenship in Burnt by Democracy
Burnt by Democracy explores the political ascendancy of neoliberalism and its effects on youth through interviews with over forty young people aged 16 to 30 who have experienced homelessness or identify as activists living in five liberal democracies: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The book highlights significant cuts to social and affordable housing, astronomical increases in the costs of higher education, and the transformation and erosion of state benefits systems. Jacqueline Kennelly argues that the decline of democracy is not due to young people's apathy, focus on informal politics, or lack of awareness of their civic duties, but rather to a collective misunderstanding of how democracy is actually structured, how individuals learn to participate, and how growing wealth inequality has undermined the capacity of those at the bottom to meaningfully advocate for changes that might improve their conditions.

Burnt by Democracy: A Timely and Impassioned Plea for Protecting and Strengthening Democracy
Burnt by Democracy makes a timely and impassioned plea for protecting and strengthening democracy by truly levelling the playing field for all. Against a backdrop of stories from young people struggling to survive and thrive under conditions of ever-expanding state retrenchment and inequality, the book highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable society. By challenging the dominant neoliberal narrative and advocating for policies that prioritize social justice and economic equality, Burnt by Democracy offers a path forward for a more democratic and just future.

Conclusion
Burnt by Democracy is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores the political ascendancy of neoliberalism and its effects on youth. Through interviews with young people from five liberal democracies, the book highlights significant cuts to social and affordable housing, astronomical increases in the costs of higher education, and the transformation and erosion of state benefits systems. Jacqueline Kennelly argues that the decline of democracy is not due to young people's apathy, focus on informal politics, or lack of awareness of their civic duties, but rather to a collective misunderstanding of how democracy is actually structured, how individuals learn to participate, and how growing wealth inequality has undermined the capacity of those at the bottom to meaningfully advocate for changes that might improve their conditions. By making a timely and impassioned plea for protecting and strengthening democracy, Burnt by Democracy offers a path forward for a more democratic and just future.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487551643