The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy

Christopher Lasch

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy" by Christopher Lasch is a thought-provoking analysis of contemporary society and its deepening divide between the elites and the rest of the population. Lasch argues that the rise of a disconnected and self-perpetuating elite class has eroded the foundations of democracy.

In his exploration, Lasch reveals how the elites, who comprise the intellectual and professional classes, have abandoned their responsibility towards the greater society. Instead of using their knowledge and resources to promote the common good, they have embraced a globalist ideology that prioritizes their own interests.

Lasch identifies the ways in which elites have consolidated power and influence, establishing a system that perpetuates their privileged position and marginalizes the majority. This includes the trend of outsourcing jobs, leaving behind the working class and middle class who face economic uncertainties. Moreover, Lasch examines the impact of mass media and the entertainment industry, which play a significant role in promoting the values and experiences of the elites, further alienating the average citizen.

The author highlights the consequences of this growing divide, particularly in politics. Lasch argues that democratic principles are undermined when the elites prioritize their own interests above those of the larger society. This results in a detached political class that is out of touch with the real concerns of the people, leading to disillusionment and the rise of populist movements.

Lasch's critique extends beyond the elites themselves, as he also questions the complicity of the intellectual class, including academics, in perpetuating this betrayal of democracy. He calls for a re-engagement of intellectuals with the problems affecting the majority, urging them to prioritize the well-being of society rather than positioning themselves as detached observers.

"The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy" is a compelling and incisive examination of the contemporary state of democracy. Lasch's work serves as a rallying cry for a return to democratic values and a challenge to the entrenched interests that threaten the foundations of a just society.

Explore More Books

See All
The Poems of Dylan Thomas
Code
The Master and Margarita
The God That Failed
Freedom from the Known
Charlie Munger
Asset Management
Savage News
Devouring Freedom
Thinking In Bets
Lake Success
My Life on the Road
Black Elk
The Ultimate Resource 2
Tiny Habits
Where Is My Flying Car?
The Spectator
It's Garry Shandling's Book
Being Aware of Being Aware
From Third World to First
Nietzsche: Beyond Good and Evil
Mindset
How To Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck
Have Space Suit - Will Travel
Binti
Hold 'em Poker
12 Rules For Life
Plowman's Folly
When The Heavens Went on Sale
The Sports Gene
Starting Strength
The Warren Buffett Way
Numbers Don't Lie
More From Less
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
Enlightenment Now
Napoleon
24/6
Scotland
The Great Influenza
Traction
Decoded
Shoe Dog
Parfit
Extreme Ownership
Perilous Interventions
House On Fire
Days of Rage
Three Scientists and Their Gods
At Home in the Universe
Surface Detail
Levels of the Game
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Stress Test
What We Owe the Future
Bitcoin is Venice
The Inevitable
The World Crisis
Folk Devils and Moral Panics
The TB12 Method
Memos From The Chairman
Essays In Persuasion
America's War for the Greater Middle East
Resistance (At All Costs)
The Two-Parent Privelege
The Evolution of Everything
Hopping Over The Rabbit Hole
The (Mis)Behavior of Markets
Viral
The Sun Also Rises
Decrypting Money
Ghost Fleet
The Case for Nationalism
The Art of Asking
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
Primed to Perform
A Magic Web
The Grapes of Wrath
The Essential Wooden
Who's In Charge
The Advantage
The Greedy Bastard Diary
The Overview Effect
Mint Condition
Learning To Love Yourself
The Culture of Narcissism
Failure Is Not An Option
Showing Up for Life
Knowledge and Decisions
Political Tribes
A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety
What Has Government Done To Our Money?
Kill Decision
Moorish Spain
Mandela's Way
The Tipping Point
Cloud Atlas
Thing Explainer
The Story of Civilization: The Reformation
The Fall