The Dark Side of Politics: Essays on the Unpleasant Realities of Political Life

The book explores the unpleasant realities of modern politics by examining how self-interest, war, violence, deception, and institutional failure characterize the political landscape. It argues that the political world we live in is fleeting and fragile, resting on a harsh and dark reality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive series of scholarly chapters delves into the unpleasantly real aspects of modern politics, particularly in the context of American politics. By examining the persistent presence of self-interest, warfare, violence, deception, and institutional failure in the political landscape, the author, Benjamin Ginsberg, argues that the idealized world of civic engagement, representative government, and principled political discourse that we often perceive is merely a fleeting and fragile illusion.

The foundation of this illusory world rests upon a harsh and dark reality that challenges our perceptions. Ginsberg's book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of politics by challenging the notion that we can separate our political lives from the broader social and economic context in which we operate. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of society and the importance of recognizing the power dynamics and conflicts that shape political outcomes.

This book is of utmost importance for students and scholars of American Politics and Government. It provides a deep and insightful analysis of the contemporary political landscape, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist in the field. By exploring the darker side of politics, Ginsberg's book encourages readers to develop a more critical and nuanced perspective on the political world and to engage in informed and responsible citizenship.

In conclusion, this series of scholarly chapters offers a thought-provoking exploration of the unpleasant realities of modern politics, particularly in the context of American politics. Through its examination of self-interest, warfare, violence, deception, and institutional failure, the book challenges our perceptions of the political world and encourages us to develop a more critical and nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shape our political reality. It is an essential read for students and scholars of American Politics and Government.

Weight: 585g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032593869