Dictatorship of virtue : multiculturalism, and the battle for America's future / Richard Bernstein.
1994
E184.A1 B428 1994 (Mapit)
Available at General Collection
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Details
Title
Dictatorship of virtue : multiculturalism, and the battle for America's future / Richard Bernstein.
Edition
First edition.
ISBN
0679411569
9780679411567
0679763988 (pbk.)
9780679763987 (pbk.)
9780679411567
0679763988 (pbk.)
9780679763987 (pbk.)
Published
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1994.
Distributed
New York : Distributed by Random House, Inc.
Language
English
Description
367 pages ; 25 cm
Call Number
E184.A1 B428 1994
Alternate Call Number
MS 1235
Dewey Decimal Classification
305.8/00973
Summary
Multiculturalism - along with its synonym "diversity"--Has radically different meanings for two large segments of the American people. The conflict between these groups is now the source of bitter and widespread controversy and confrontation. It has become the issue in the last decade of the twentieth century. Dictatorship of Virtue is a passionate, provocative, and rigorously documented examination of multiculturalism - its noble roots and the abuses and excesses perpetrated in its name.
To its advocates, multiculturalism is simply an intense effort to include in the mainstream of American life groups of people who have been excluded or marginalized in the past. These advocates argue that the essentially European identity that has dominated American life until now must make room for other identities; "inclusion" is key.
To its critics, multiculturalism means in practice the opposite of what it means in theory: they see it as a new, easily reproducible boilerplate of received ideas and unexamined assumptions that insists on adherence - with truth and fairness often falling victim to the demands of ethnic or racial self-esteem.
Richard Bernstein takes us to the front lines of this war for America's intellectual future: battles over school curricula, local legislation, college reading lists, censorship and freedom of expression, and "sexist" language. He explores the burgeoning industry of "diversity training," the inroads of questionable scholarship, and the fates of men and women victimized by political correctness.
While applauding the true meaning of multiculturalism - equality of opportunity and social justice - Bernstein fears that there is a pulling away from certain cultural norms, adherence to which traditionally has enabled Americans to board the great engine of upward social mobility. Multiculturalism, that universe of good intentions born of the civil rights movement and deriving from principles all good people hold dear, has too often become a dictatorship of virtue.
What this means for our society and what we can do about it is brilliantly and lucidly presented in a book that will stand as an important contribution to the great debate of the nineties - and beyond.
To its advocates, multiculturalism is simply an intense effort to include in the mainstream of American life groups of people who have been excluded or marginalized in the past. These advocates argue that the essentially European identity that has dominated American life until now must make room for other identities; "inclusion" is key.
To its critics, multiculturalism means in practice the opposite of what it means in theory: they see it as a new, easily reproducible boilerplate of received ideas and unexamined assumptions that insists on adherence - with truth and fairness often falling victim to the demands of ethnic or racial self-esteem.
Richard Bernstein takes us to the front lines of this war for America's intellectual future: battles over school curricula, local legislation, college reading lists, censorship and freedom of expression, and "sexist" language. He explores the burgeoning industry of "diversity training," the inroads of questionable scholarship, and the fates of men and women victimized by political correctness.
While applauding the true meaning of multiculturalism - equality of opportunity and social justice - Bernstein fears that there is a pulling away from certain cultural norms, adherence to which traditionally has enabled Americans to board the great engine of upward social mobility. Multiculturalism, that universe of good intentions born of the civil rights movement and deriving from principles all good people hold dear, has too often become a dictatorship of virtue.
What this means for our society and what we can do about it is brilliantly and lucidly presented in a book that will stand as an important contribution to the great debate of the nineties - and beyond.
Note
To its advocates, multiculturalism is simply an intense effort to include in the mainstream of American life groups of people who have been excluded or marginalized in the past. These advocates argue that the essentially European identity that has dominated American life until now must make room for other identities; "inclusion" is key.
To its critics, multiculturalism means in practice the opposite of what it means in theory: they see it as a new, easily reproducible boilerplate of received ideas and unexamined assumptions that insists on adherence - with truth and fairness often falling victim to the demands of ethnic or racial self-esteem.
Richard Bernstein takes us to the front lines of this war for America's intellectual future: battles over school curricula, local legislation, college reading lists, censorship and freedom of expression, and "sexist" language. He explores the burgeoning industry of "diversity training," the inroads of questionable scholarship, and the fates of men and women victimized by political correctness.
While applauding the true meaning of multiculturalism - equality of opportunity and social justice - Bernstein fears that there is a pulling away from certain cultural norms, adherence to which traditionally has enabled Americans to board the great engine of upward social mobility. Multiculturalism, that universe of good intentions born of the civil rights movement and deriving from principles all good people hold dear, has too often become a dictatorship of virtue.
What this means for our society and what we can do about it is brilliantly and lucidly presented in a book that will stand as an important contribution to the great debate of the nineties - and beyond.
To its critics, multiculturalism means in practice the opposite of what it means in theory: they see it as a new, easily reproducible boilerplate of received ideas and unexamined assumptions that insists on adherence - with truth and fairness often falling victim to the demands of ethnic or racial self-esteem.
Richard Bernstein takes us to the front lines of this war for America's intellectual future: battles over school curricula, local legislation, college reading lists, censorship and freedom of expression, and "sexist" language. He explores the burgeoning industry of "diversity training," the inroads of questionable scholarship, and the fates of men and women victimized by political correctness.
While applauding the true meaning of multiculturalism - equality of opportunity and social justice - Bernstein fears that there is a pulling away from certain cultural norms, adherence to which traditionally has enabled Americans to board the great engine of upward social mobility. Multiculturalism, that universe of good intentions born of the civil rights movement and deriving from principles all good people hold dear, has too often become a dictatorship of virtue.
What this means for our society and what we can do about it is brilliantly and lucidly presented in a book that will stand as an important contribution to the great debate of the nineties - and beyond.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Available in Other Form
Dictatorship of virtue.
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Table of Contents
Prologue: Dérapage
Elementary diversity
Places of memory
Advanced sensitivity
Notebook
Otherness in Queens
The search for sin
The secret victory
The battle for Brookline and other struggles over young minds
The battle of Texas
The empty fortress.
Elementary diversity
Places of memory
Advanced sensitivity
Notebook
Otherness in Queens
The search for sin
The secret victory
The battle for Brookline and other struggles over young minds
The battle of Texas
The empty fortress.