
In Defense of the West
American Values Under Siege
Donald J. Devine(Author)
University Press of America
Published on 8. June 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
178 pages
978-0-7618-2823-5 (ISBN)
Description
American values and institutions are under stress, from terrorist attacks by opposing worldviews abroad to widespread domestic skepticism that American traditions are more valuable than others. In this book, Donald Devine asks whether these values can survive or be defended in a West that questions all traditions. Devine raises questions that are answered as the chapters develop, keeping readers engaged, while preventing quick dismissals of the concerns held by those not inclined to support the book's thesis_that Western vision and American values are worth questioning or defending. All standard solutions are considered and are brought together in an investigation of Western values that has a traditionalist bend, but still leaves the largest questions open for the reader to contemplate_including whether American values will in fact survive.
Reviews / Votes
The author reminds us that freedom is never forever-it must be continually reborn, protected and justified. It is under attack, both from without and within, as the war on terror and the war in Iraq intrude themselves daily. ...But the main concern in this richly philosophical, carefully documented work is revealed in its subtitle, 'American values under siege.' Mr. Devine holds that America's cultural recovery and security lie in our getting back to basics. Without knowing our roots, he argues, we have become a nation adrift, a drift reflected in the tattering of our national culture from Hollywood to Broadway. -- William H. Peterson, Washington Times * The Washington Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
270 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7618-2823-5 (9780761828235)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Donald J. Devine served as Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management from 1981-1985. He is President of the Donald Devine Company, which provides policy and management consultation to government, nonprofit, and political clients; Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of American Values, Bellevue University, Nebraska; Adjunct Scholar for the Heritage Foundation; and Columnist for The Washington Times. Dr. Devine is also a former Associate Professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland.
Content
Chapter 1 Foreword
Chapter 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Contesting World Traditions
Chapter 4 Making Traditional Rational and Scientific
Chapter 5 The Western Vision
Chapter 6 American Values and Institutions
Chapter 7 Early Constitutional Issues
Chapter 8 Community, Government, and Individual Responsibility
Chapter 9 The Market, Freedom, and Spontaneous Order
Chapter 10 Market and Democratic Decay
Chapter 11 American Government and Political Equality
Chapter 12 Social Justice in America
Chapter 13 Business and Work Responsibility
Chapter 14 Values, Citizenship, and the Good Society
Chapter 15 Epilogue
Chapter 16 Index
Chapter 17 About the Author
Chapter 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Contesting World Traditions
Chapter 4 Making Traditional Rational and Scientific
Chapter 5 The Western Vision
Chapter 6 American Values and Institutions
Chapter 7 Early Constitutional Issues
Chapter 8 Community, Government, and Individual Responsibility
Chapter 9 The Market, Freedom, and Spontaneous Order
Chapter 10 Market and Democratic Decay
Chapter 11 American Government and Political Equality
Chapter 12 Social Justice in America
Chapter 13 Business and Work Responsibility
Chapter 14 Values, Citizenship, and the Good Society
Chapter 15 Epilogue
Chapter 16 Index
Chapter 17 About the Author