Democracy’s Achilles Heel: The Rocky Marriage of Relative and Absolute

Democracy's Achilles Heel argues that the structure of democracy is a combination of two incompatible worldviews: one relativist and liberal, the other absolutist and conservative. This combination of opposites is essential for its survival but places democracy at risk. The author argues that open societies must permit other belief systems and worldviews to exist alongside them, and that relativism can undermine the liberal nature of democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Democracy's Achilles Heel is a compelling argument that the very structure of democracy is a paradoxical blend of two fundamentally incompatible worldviews: one relativist and liberal, the other absolutist and conservative. While this combination of opposites is essential for its survival, it also poses a significant risk to democracy, as each worldview is prone to trying to engulf the other, creating threats from both the right and the left. This inherent weakness of democracy, known as its Achilles Heel, remains a persistent and enduring challenge.

In open societies, where diverse belief systems and worldviews coexist, absolutisms, such as religious fundamentalism, can find a comfortable home within democracy. However, for democracy to thrive, it is crucial that it allows for the existence of other belief systems and worldviews, whether absolute or relative. Relativism, on the other hand, can undermine the liberal nature of democracy by seeking to eliminate absolutisms altogether, thereby threatening freedom and destabilizing the democratic system.

In response to the recent clashes between left and right in Western democracies, the author delves into the theories of renowned thinkers such as Fromm, Berlin, and Hoffer, as well as more contemporary sources like Levitsky and Ziblatt's How Democracies Die. By examining the dynamics of these conflicts, the author challenges the conventional defenses of democracy and acknowledges its inherent instability and vulnerability. However, rather than succumbing to despair, the author urges those who live within democratic polities to strengthen the chances of democracy's survival by remembering its fundamental value and purpose.

Democracy's Achilles Heel is an impassioned defense of the democratic way of life, even in the face of its eternally threatened nature. It appeals to scholars, students, and readers with interests in political sociology, philosophy, and political theory, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics that shape democratic societies. Through its analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that democracies face, and encourages us to reflect on the role that individuals and institutions can play in preserving and strengthening this vital democratic institution.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032660066