The American Ideology: A Critique

By Andrew Levine

Book Overview

The American Ideology explicates and criticizes two notions of reason in society: efficiency and the concept of the reasonable. Despite their considerable appeal, these notions nowadays underwrite an orientation towards public policy that is both inadequate and beneficial to elite interests; an orientation that constitutes a distinct American Ideology. To make this case, Levine traces the history of the concept of efficiency, from Hobbes, through the utilitarian tradition, to contemporary economic and philosophical paradigms; and examines the strengths and weaknesses of the democratic theory implicit in John Rawls's pioneering work on justice and political legitimacy.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415945496
• ISBN13: 9780415945493
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.2"