The politics of deceit
Subtitle: saving freedom and democracy from extinction
By: Glenn  W. Smith.
Publisher: John Wiley
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Hoboken, N.J
Language: eng
Number of pages: 246
Subjects: Political culture -- United States; Manipulative behavior -- United States; Mass media -- Political aspects -- United States; Political participation -- United States -- Psychological aspects; Political psychology; United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-
Description: "Today, Americans face a tyranny built upon contemporary political practices that devalue personal and communal responsibility as well as overall participation in the political process. Life-and-death political discussions and decisions are now limited to a virtual world of illusion and coercion. No politician has so cynically wielded these manipulative political practices as has George W. Bush." "In The Politics of Deceit, political insider Glenn Smith reveals why our political customs threaten democracy and freedom with extinction, and illustrates how we can ultimately fix these problems. Among the most hopeful developments is the cultivation of new interactive media, including the successful efforts of MoveOn.org and other online groups. Smith argues that our shrugging acceptance of the politics of manipulation doesn't mean our political practices are right or just. Their very structure lends advantage to politicians like George W. Bush, who would mislead rather than lead, and who believe their own power is more important than the health of democracy." "Through anecdotes from history and contemporary politics, The Politics of Deceit offers realistic recommendations for a democratic renewal. You'll receive an insider's view of what must be done to protect the future of liberty, including the reversal of numerous political practices such as the power of money over debate in the public sphere, and the disproportionate amount of spending on advertising over grass-roots recruitment and public discourse."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-237) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: The madness of King George III and our contemporary political dilemma; title: Freedom; title: Shaking Bugs Bunny's hand in Disneyland : democracy will not be televised; title: Dead pope music : the press and American politics; title: The threatened habitats of democracy; title: Lantern bearing and the American covenant tradition; title: The other superpower : the Internet's new "interactivists" and the public sphere; title: Shooting elephants : the language of politics; title: Freedom and religion : the visions of Jacob and Orestes; title: In America.