Public Opinion.

LIPPMAN, Walter.

Published by Harcourt Brace and Company, New York, 1922

About this Item

1 leaf with works by Lippman on the verso + TP + [v] = Dedication page + [vii] = Quote from Plato's Republic + ix-x = Contents + half title + 3-427 + 1 blank leaf, Octavo. First Edition.Lippmann's Devastating Critique of American "Democracy"Public Opinion is Lippmann's most in depth and devastating critique of American democracy. Shortly after it was published, John Dewey, the great defender of democracy and the most important American philosopher of the era, called Lippmann's book "the most effective indictment of democracy as currently conceived."Lippmann poses a straightforward question: Can citizens achieve a basic knowledge of public affairs and then make reasonable choices about what to do? His answer is "No" and the whole point of the book is to expose the gap between what we say democracy is and what we know about how human beings actually behave.Most democratic theorists in the 20th century believed that more information would produce a more informed citizenry, and a more informed citizenry would make good on the core promise of democracy. Lippmann spends the first half of the book proving how wrong this facile presumption is. More information doesn't necessarily lead to more enlightened civic participation - it is just as likely to lead to more noise, more partisanship, and more ignorance. Indeed, more informed voters are simply subject to ever more partisan self-deception.Shades of 2020! One hundred years later this devastating critique of American democracy is proving to be even more viral and virulent than Lippmann ever imagined. In the second half of the book, Lippmann attempts to solve all the problems he has unearthed in the first part. Unfortunately, his solution to the problems of democracy is to abandon everything that makes democracy worthwhile. Unable to understand how public opinion could be intelligently guided, he suggests that it be transcended altogether by creating a "bureau of experts" that would decide public policy on behalf of the public. Original publisher's blue cloth with a well-preserved printed label on a white field to the spine (which is very lightly sun darkened). Remnants of the original dust jacket tucked to front of book. Light sun spots to back cover and minor wear to the top of the spine. Otherwise, a clean, tight and bright copy of this important political critique by Lippmann. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Seller Inventory # 1450

Bibliographic Details

Title: Public Opinion.

Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company, New York

Publication Date: 1922

Binding: Hardcover

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Edition: FIRST EDITION.