Benjamin Barber Critical Essay | Critical Review by Mitchell J. Chang

Critical Review by Mitchell J. Chang

SOURCE: A review of An Aristocracy of Everyone, in Amerasia Journal, Vol. 21, Nos. 1 and 2, 1995, pp. 197–200.

In the following review, Chang supports Barber's critique of postmodernists and of those who are overly nostalgic, and lauds Barber for noting that the presence of political ideals in America make the country unique. The problem, Chang argues, is that Barber “gives too much credit to democracy's idealistic promises.”

The challenge facing modern proponents of a just and inclusive America remains how to hold the diversity of groups and liberty of individuals without surrendering social unity. On the one hand, an under-differentiated America pretends to a unity that actually excludes many groups from participation. On the other hand, an over-differentiated America falls to pieces, sacrificing what it means to be an American to a passion for inclusiveness.

Benjamin Barber undertakes this challenge and offers a thoughtful solution in his book,...
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