pols 234 paper 2 Essays - Philosophy, Politics,

A Comparative Book Review on Democracy on Trial and The Malaise of Modernity Charles Taylor's The Malaise of Modernity, (Concord, Ontario: Anansi Press, 1991), 136 pp, $23.95 Jean Bethke Elshtain's, Democracy on Trial, (Concord, Ontario: Anansi Press, 1993), 153 pp, $31.23 Introduction to Canadian Government and Politics in Comparative Perspective Pols 234 Dr. John H. Dyck Trinity Western University March 7, 2018 Sarah Dunn 552806 Democracy is in peril, the foundation that it was built upon has begun to crack; Charles Taylor and Jean Bethke Elshtain identify the perpetrator of this catastrophe. Charles Taylor presents the foundation of the decay of democracy through his book and a solution to such decay, while Jean Bethke Elshtain identities the issue with democracy, the consequences of this issue, and promotes her new social contract. Consequently, these two philosophers understand that the democratic decline is a product of individualism; they argue that individualism descends us into narcissism and shuts down our democratic discourse. Malaise of Modernity written by Charles Taylor illustrates his philosophy by describing the "themes of decline" that are responsible for democratic decay (Taylor, 1991, p. 1). From this, Taylor distinguishes three malaises: Individualism, Instrumental Reason, and Political Level; but I will only discuss the first malaise as Taylor emphasized immense importance on it. The first malaise is individualism, which many consider to be "the finest achievement of modern civilization" but individualism came from the disbandment of hierarchical positions in society (Taylor, 1991, p. 2). As a civilization, we used to be locked into a certain role in society; thus, locked into hierarchical roles. Taylor argues that the rise of individualism will lead to the loss of something substantial, we lost something worth dying for; which indicates we lost our purpose as a species. Therefore, Taylor entitles this the fading of moral horizons. Additionally, the loss of moral horizons represents the dark side of individualism because our withdrawal into our own narcissistic tendencies leaves us with little regard for others. Furthermore, Taylor utilizes chapters 2-8 to defend his argument for individualism and what entails that malaise. Taylor is incredibly critical of the features of individualism, specifically self-fulfillment, he contends that "individualism involves a centering on the self" which promotes a form of "unawareness, of the greater issues or concerns that transcend the self" (Taylor, 1991, p. 14). Taylor notes that critics of individualism, such as Bell and Bloom, are missing something fundamental because they only interpret individualism as a retreat of moral positions, instead, Taylor argues it is a moral ideal with its own force; he calls it authenticity. Authenticity is a positive ideal Taylor says, but it needs to be understood. Additionally, it is important to recognize authenticity, Taylor claims that if the culture of authenticity is to exist, and not self-destruct into narcissism, that it must avoid self-determining freedom. In addition to avoiding self-determining freedom, this culture of authenticity must not reject transcending of itself, because transcending of the self is necessary for defining oneself; if we reject it, we will condemn ourselves to futility and the impossibility of ever defining ourselves or being authentic. In addition, Taylor continues to discuss the requirement for recognition, he identifies relationships as tools for self-development and the impact they pose on the contemporary culture of authenticity. Taylor believes that these relationships are only useful if they serve to that end; if they give self-fulfillment and if they are instrumental to development. From this notion, Taylor argues that the ideal of authenticity has its own merits and it is better to understand it then reject it. He promotes the notion that the culture of authenticity will allow its citizens to live a life that encourages them to embrace greater self-responsibility which "allows us to live (potentially) a fuller and more differentiated life" and this life could be a more democratic one; this may promote citizens to look after more than just themselves (Taylor, 1991, p. 74). To conclude, Taylor recognizes that individualism has resulted in a society of people who may be defined by narcissism, but it has also created the culture of authenticity. Taylors culture of authenticity promotes self-fulfillment and replicates the welfare state; promoting responsible citizens while molding the crack in democracy. Taylor is attempting to convey that as a society we cannot go