Violence and tragedy riddle democracy - not due to fatal shortcomings or unnecessary failures, but because of its very design and success. To articulate this troubling claim, Steven Johnston explores the cruelty of democratic founding, the brutal use democracies make of citizens and animals during wartime, the ambiguous consequences of legislative action expressive of majority rule, and militant practices of citizenship required to deal with democracy's enemies. Democracy must take respons...

It’s a Wonderful Life is an American film classic celebrated for its inspirational character. Famously shown during the holiday season, it brings families together in the spirit of mutual love and support. It tells the story of George Bailey, who turns suicidal one Christmas Eve after decades of frustration and sacrifice in which his dreams are repeatedly shattered for the good of others. George is convinced that his life is anything but wonderful. Enter Clarence, his guardian angel, who m...

The Truth about Patriotism is a bracing repudiation of the claim that patriotism is essential—or even beneficial—to democracy. Contending that even at its best patriotism subverts the democracy it purports to value, Steven Johnston turns to patriotism’s defenders to show how they must jettison much of democracy to champion patriotism. Closely examined, patriotism itself effectively demonstrates the impossibility of love of country. Patriotism, Johnston argues, tends toward narciss...

The judgment that Abraham Lincoln is the finest president in the history of the United States borders on self-evident. This status tends to disable the very possibility of a more critical understanding or appreciation, one that does not work, explicitly or implicitly, within the taken-for-granted frame of his greatness.Still, America is not blind to or ignorant of Lincoln’s shortcomings. Rather it is in part because of these shortcomings that Lincoln is revered. Thus, if the countr...

An enormous amount of literature exists on Greek law, economics, and political philosophy. Yet no one has written a history of trust, one of the most fundamental aspects of social and economic interaction in the ancient world. In this fresh look at antiquity, Steven Johnstone explores the way democracy and markets flourished in ancient Greece not so much through personal relationships as through trust in abstract systems—including money, standardized measurement, rhetoric, and haggling.

Athenians performed democracy daily in their law courts. Without lawyers or judges, private citizens, acting as accusers and defendants, argued their own cases directly to juries composed typically of 201 to 501 jurors, who voted on a verdict without deliberation. This legal system strengthened and perpetuated democracy as Athenians understood it, for it emphasized the ideological equality of all (male) citizens and the hierarchy that placed them above women, children, and slaves.T...

Have you always wanted to know more about Jeff Bezos and his rise to power and wealth?This audio book will tell you the whole story from the very beginning of how Jeff Bezos created one of the most profitable companies in the entire world from his garage. You’ll learn the amazing stories of his youth and the events that shaped him into the man that he is today.He’s currently the richest man in the world. He came from humble beginnings and was able to bootst...

In recent years, there has substantial growth in beekeeping which is a meditative and relaxing activity. With your own little apiary, you can have direct access to top-quality honey and bee products!This beekeeping collection contains Beekeeping For Beginners and Advanced Beekeeping.Here's a fraction of what you'll discover in Beekeeping for Beginners:● Step by step instructions for setting up and cultivating your bee colonies

How to harvest delicious honey in your backyard to give your flowers the boost they need?"Bees," says your friend, casually. The bee colonies they started a couple of years ago have ensured fully pollinated plants and great harvests. This, not to mention the side business he started selling the honey and wax. They suggest you do it, too.Few reasons to keep bees, including:Pollinating your other plantsImproving harves...

Why anyone can turn their love for beekeeping into more than a satisfying hobby (including a business in your backyard)Are you looking for a way to reconnect with nature in this stressful world?Do the news of the decline in bees' populations terrify you?If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, then beekeeping is just the perfect match for you.The shelves of grocery stores are filled with overly processed, sweet liquid that can't real...

Do you feel like other people always get the best of you? Do you wish you were more assertive in dealing with others? Have you ever felt bullied or dismissed by others? Want to get some payback? Then you're ready to take psychological warfare seriously. You'll never have a mere conversation again after putting our tricks into practice.This book teaches you personal interaction on a psychological level. It runs from trivial tricks like getting people to like and respect you more, to...

Superstorm Sandy sent a strong message that a new generation of urban development and infrastructure is desperately needed, and it must be designed with resilience in mind. As cities continue to face climate change impacts while growing in population, they find themselves at the center of resilience and green city solutions, yet political and budgetary obstacles threaten even the best-planned initiatives. In The Guide to Greening Cities, seasoned green city leaders Sadhu Johnston, Steven N...