Political Literacy
Rhetoric, Ideology, and the Possibility of Justice
Published on 24. February 1994
Book
Paperback/Softback
198 pages
978-0-7914-1806-2 (ISBN)
Description
Political Literacy confronts and responds to the question: What is required of the citizens of a democracy to ensure their individual and social rights? Exploring the rhetoric of legal interpretation, this book answers that citizens must be so educated as to have an intellectual awareness of the inherently rhetorical nature of language.
Political Literacy explodes the myth that justice is delivered in the measured, seemingly disinterested, written decisions of America's highest courts. Instead, it reveals the political nature of legal opinions and their necessarily ideological perspectives. Using arguments and examples from a variety of ancient and modern writers and thinkers, the book defines political literacy for the first time. Fredric Gale passionately calls for changes in the way the public is educated about the justice system and about the risk of complacency in this crucial area of public life.
Political Literacy explodes the myth that justice is delivered in the measured, seemingly disinterested, written decisions of America's highest courts. Instead, it reveals the political nature of legal opinions and their necessarily ideological perspectives. Using arguments and examples from a variety of ancient and modern writers and thinkers, the book defines political literacy for the first time. Fredric Gale passionately calls for changes in the way the public is educated about the justice system and about the risk of complacency in this crucial area of public life.
Reviews / Votes
"These arguments are timely, well-made, and deserving of wide and careful attention. Fredric Gale writes with impressive and sure knowledge of the law, jurisprudence, critical theory, and composition theory, a considerable achievement. "- G. Douglas Atkins, University of KansasMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 149 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
277 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-1806-2 (9780791418062)
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
Fredric G. Gale is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Arkansas. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Gale was formerly a practicing attorney and judge.
Content
Introduction
1. New Perspectives
2. Sources and Traditions of Modern Justice
3. Critical Approaches to the Question of Justice
4. Rhetoric, Justice, and Ideology
5. Literacy and the Possibility of Justice
Conclusion
Notes
Works Cited
Index
1. New Perspectives
2. Sources and Traditions of Modern Justice
3. Critical Approaches to the Question of Justice
4. Rhetoric, Justice, and Ideology
5. Literacy and the Possibility of Justice
Conclusion
Notes
Works Cited
Index