Legitimate Opposition

Name: Legitimate Opposition
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SKU: 9780300243468
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By Alexander S. Kirshner

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Summary

Legitimate Opposition by Alexander S. Kirshner delivers the first major theory of legitimate political opposition in over fifty years. It explores how democratic systems depend on the peaceful challenge and acceptance of political rivals. Kirshner revisits opposition’s complex, imperfect, and sometimes unfair role, showing its vital value in sustaining democracy amid present-day threats such as populism and autocracy. The book offers a nuanced and contemporary framework for understanding why legitimate opposition remains a critical democratic achievement after events like the January 6, 2021 assault on the American Capitol.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Legitimate Opposition

$71⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This thoughtful and scholarly analysis is ideal for readers interested in politics, democratic theory, and current affairs, particularly those seeking to understand opposition’s role in modern democratic resilience and challenges.

The first theory of legitimate opposition in fifty years

Description

The first theory of legitimate opposition in fifty years

In political systems defined by legitimate opposition, those who hold power allow their rivals to peacefully challenge and displace them, and those who have lost power do not seek to sabotage the winners. Legitimate opposition came under assault at the American capitol on January 6, 2021, and is menaced by populists and autocrats across the globe.

Alexander Kirshner provides the first sustained theory of legitimate opposition since the Cold War. On the orthodox view, democracy is lost when legitimate opposition is subverted. But efforts to reconcile opposition with democracy fail to identify the value of the frequently imperfect, unfair and inegalitarian real-world practice.

Marshaling a revisionist reconstruction of opposition’s history, Legitimate Opposition provides a new account of opposition’s value fit for the twenty-first century and shows why, given the difficult conditions of political life, legitimate opposition is an achievement worth defending.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Esteemed scholars praise Legitimate Opposition as a vital and insightful work. Nancy L. Rosenblum calls it a forceful spotlight on a neglected political practice. Nadia Urbinati highlights its reminder that democracy requires ongoing legitimate opposition and political conflict. Russell Muirhead describes it as the definitive, realistic, yet aspirational account. Corey Brettschneider points to Kirshner’s subtle and systematic analysis of opposition’s vulnerabilities within democracy.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300243468

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 November 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 296

Collections

Alexander S. Kirshner Education & Reference Global History History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Politics & Current Affairs

About the Author

Alexander S. Kirshner is an associate professor of political science at Duke University, where he concentrates on democratic theory. He is the author of A Theory of Militant Democracy.