Politicians and pundits often scorn polarization and
compromise--the intransigence of the former and the feebleness of
the latter--without suggesting an alternative way. Polarization,
when opposing forces are equal or close to equal in strength, leads
to stalemate. Compromise threatens to betray one's conviction about
what is essential. Ideally, a leader must combine conviction about
what ought to be done with an open-minded awareness of unintended
consequences.
The social sciences are or should be based, largely, on the
premise that people are historical and social beings. Holding the
Center follows this tradition, while focusing on the "trimming"
aspect. In nautical terms, trimming indicates an adjustment of
one's vessel to accommodate one's environment. In politics, it is
to find common ground between extremes, not for the sake of
compromise, but because reason does not have a single location on
the political spectrum.
The twelve chapters in this book are brought together by
Goodheart's argument that the Whig trimming tradition is the heart
and soul of politics in the West, and that both democracy and
democratic culture depend upon the trimming tradition's advocacy of
toleration. What is needed now, he notes, is a transformation in
our political culture in which humility and the admission of error
enter the list of political virtues. Non-parliamentary democracy
with its separation of powers depends for its proper functioning on
compromise, especially in a time like ours of crisis and divided
government.
General
Imprint: |
AldineTransaction
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
March 2013 |
First published: |
2013 |
Authors: |
Eugene Goodheart
|
Dimensions: |
216 x 138 x 18mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover - Cloth over boards
|
Pages: |
222 |
Edition: |
New |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4128-4981-4 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Politics & government >
General
Promotions
|
LSN: |
1-4128-4981-0 |
Barcode: |
9781412849814 |
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