
Barbarians at the Gates of the Public Library
How Postmodern Consumer Capitalism Threatens Democracy, Civil Education and the Public Good
Ed D'Angelo(Author)
Library Juice Press
Published on 15. November 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-9778617-1-2 (ISBN)
Description
Barbarians at the Gates of the Public Library is a philosophical and historical analysis of how the rise of consumerism has led to the decline of the original mission of public libraries to sustain and promote democracy through civic education. Through a reading of historical figures such as Plato, Helvetius, Rousseau, and John Stuart Mill, the book shows how democracy and even capitalism were originally believed to depend upon the moral and political education that public libraries (and other institutions of rational public discourse) could provide. But as capitalism developed in the 20th century it evolved into a postmodern consumerism that replaced democracy with consumerism and education with entertainment. Public libraries have mistakenly tried to remain relevant by shadowing the rise of consumerism, but have instead contributed to the rise of a new barbarism and the decline of democracy.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Duluth
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
black & white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
191 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-9778617-1-2 (9780977861712)
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Schweitzer Classification