Praxis Book
Authors
Ben Boyce (community activist)
Nick Colby, PhD (anthropology)
Gus diZerega, PhD (political science)
Georgia Kelly (Director, Praxis Peace Institute)
Julianne Maurseth, PhD (organizational psychology)
Barry Spector (author of “Madness at the Gates of the City: The Myth of American Innocence)
Taking on the tenets of libertarianism and ideas associated with libertarianism, the authors challenge the American myths that promote rugged individualism, the lone hero, endless economic growth, and American exceptionalism. They explore the role that ideologies play in helping us make sense of the world and revisit the experiment — still unproved — of American democracy. The six authors place the myths in historical and ideological contexts and explore the makings of civil society, social justice, and economic fairness. One author, who was a libertarian in his youth, deconstructs their philosophy using only their definitions and arguments in a brilliant deconstruction.
Citing successful alternatives to laissez-faire and corporate capitalism, the authors promote existing models that celebrate the dignity of humankind by promoting empathy, cooperation, and respect. This book not only deconstructs, it constructs a possible world using concrete examples that have a proven success rate and high levels of human happiness.
Price: $20, includes shipping within the US
Books are also available online from Barnes & Noble and Amazon and at Readers Books (Sonoma).
What they are saying about Uncivil Liberties:
“Uncivil Liberties” will turn your head around, challenge the unconscious myths that have informed your life, and give you a vision of how true freedom flourishes only in the context of a caring community. A radical and hopeful book.” ~ Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly, Faces of the Enemy, and In the Absence of God.
“This book is a cooperative effort that has produced a necessary and timely analysis of the ‘isms’ that are causing so much confusion in the political arena today. This should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand the inconsistencies in libertarian thought.” ~ Lynn Woolsey, US Representative (retired)
“This book helps us to probe the values and implications behind the buzzword, so we can separate the valuable from the pernicious in libertarian positions.” ~ Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy and The Wizard of Media Oz and founder of the Institute for Public Accuracy.
“Last year, Praxis Peace Institute responded to the libertarian conspiracy film Thrive with a pamphlet titled ‘Uncivil Liberties: Deconstructing Libertarianism,’ carefully and concisely laying out the problems inherent in libertarian philosophy and why it is so appealing to today’s society. Now, in a book by the same name, six contributors from Praxis have expounded on their arguments to create a compelling case against the radical tenets of libertarianism, demonstrating the untruths promoted within libertarian culture and how concerned citizens can avoid and refute common myths spread by extreme right-wing ideologies. This book is a must-read for anyone invested in modern politics and the future of the United States.” ~ John Robbins, author of The Food Revolution, Diet for a New America, and The New Good Life.