The Rise of the Imperial Self

Dworkin, Ronald W.

ISBN 10: 0847682196 ISBN 13: 9780847682195

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1996

Synopsis

The Rise of the Imperial Self establishes a geneaology of aristocracy and places America firmly within an aristocratic tradition originally articulated by St. Augustine, but adapted to American society by Alexis de Tocqueville. Ronald W. Dworkin then traces the evolution of American culture from Tocqueville's America, when American aristocracy was defined by a love of something beyond the self to today's preoccupation with individuality, self-expression, autonomy, and self-esteem―the "imperial self."

About this title

About the Author:

Ronald W. Dworkin is a fellow at the Institue for American Values and co-director of the Calvert Institute for Policy Research.

Review:

yields some starkingly original insights. . . . is plausible and obviously the product of considerable thought and erudition. (First Things)

This ambitious book finds a template for the "culture Wars " of contemporary America in the culture wars of late antiquity. Dworkin pursues his interesting thesis with creativity and with some success. (Stuart Rosenbaum, Baylor University Journal of Church and State, Vol. 41, No. 1 Winter 1999)

An important contribution to the literature on the historical roots of expressive individualism. . . . the book has great breadth and depth and it covers a large intellectual territory. The book is especially useful for historians, philosophers and psychologists who are interested in the development and maintenance of the imperial self. (Irene Switankowsky, University of Waterloo Comptes Rendes)

A brilliant and illuminating interpretation of contemporary America and the recent great transformation in the American character. Dworkin employs both the political vision of Tocqueville and the religious vision of Saint Augustine to explain our nation and ourselves with extraordinary originality, depth, and wisdom. (James Kurth, Swarthmore College)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0847682196
• ISBN 13: 9780847682195
• Binding: Textbook Binding
• Number of pages: 270