Democratic Hypocrisy

Domination, Egalitarian Criticism and Apologetic Narratives
2023
ISBN: 978-3-031-33819-9
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 187 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 383 g

Unconfessed by definition, hypocrisy is one of the most used and abused polemical categories, even today, to denounce the "masked cynicism" of certain social actors, especially when they hold public office. But has hypocrisy always been just that? Should we really always be wary of it and challenge its every manifestation? What forms of hypocrisy can we distinguish? What kind of relationship exists between hypocrisy and the lack of self-critical attitude of those who are used to challenge the conduct of others? And above all: what relationship exists between this common vice, democratic politics and the institutional reproduction of different forms of oppression and domination? These are just some of the questions that inspire this philosophical journey back into the history of one of the most chameleonic concepts of Western culture. In Mazzone’s conception, democratic hypocrisy includes argumentative strategies used by institutional actors to refuse any kind of responsibility whentheir decisions, actions or roles are called into question by the protests of citizens in a democratic context. He reveals the relationship that exists between such “apologetic narratives” and the institutional reproduction of different forms of oppression and domination. Ultimately, the book urges civic vigilance against underhand wannabe authoritarians, who – as a group – are evolving to find new ways to trick people into opposing democracy.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mazzone, Leonard

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Ethik, Moralphilosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Psychological and Moral Hypocrisy.- Chapter 3: Domination, Critique and Democratic Hypocrisy.- Chapter 4: Apologetic Narratives: Justifying the Unjustifiable.- Chapter 5: Conclusion: Beyond the Critique of Democratic Hypocrisy, Before Cynical Resignation.

Über Autor(innen)

Leonard Mazzone is Research Associate in Social and Political Philosophy at the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Florence, Italy.