Description: The Problem of Democracy: How Presidents John and John Quincy Adams Confronted the Rise of the Cult of Personality Description: From New York Times bestselling author Nancy Isenberg (White Trash) and acclaimed historian Andrew Burstein comes a groundbreaking exploration of two of America’s most underappreciated presidents—John and John Quincy Adams. In The Problem of Democracy, the father-and-son duo confronts a timeless challenge: the dangerous allure of personality-driven politics. “Told with authority and style. . . Crisply summarizing the Adamses legacy, the authors stress principle over partisanship." —The Wall Street Journal John Adams, Americas second president, and his son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth, were intellectuals first and politicians second—unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths, even when it cost them popularity and political success. They foresaw the perils of a democracy more concerned with idolizing leaders than holding them accountable, calling out the hero worship of their time, from the revered Benjamin Franklin to the iconic George Washington and the populist Andrew Jackson. In The Problem of Democracy, Isenberg and Burstein uncover the Adamses deeply held belief that political participation demands moral courage and intellectual rigor—not mere allegiance to charismatic figures or partisan loyalties. Through a rich trove of letters, the authors reveal the close, complex relationship between father and son as they exchanged ideas, debated political philosophy, and watched with disappointment as America’s democratic system increasingly veered toward personality over principle. Key Themes Explored: Moral Courage in Politics: The Adamses believed leadership required integrity and the willingness to stand against popular opinion, even at the expense of personal political gain. The Cult of Personality: They anticipated the rise of hero worship in American politics, warning that it would replace substantive results with idolatry and mislead the public. Prescient Insights: The Adamses intellectual independence and rejection of blind partisanship resonate today, as modern democracies grapple with similar challenges in the age of media-driven celebrity politics. Though rejected by voters after only one term each, their insights were not failures of ideology. Instead, their nuanced understanding of democracy remains critically relevant. As America faces ongoing political polarization and the pitfalls of personality-driven leadership, the Adamses warnings feel more urgent than ever. The Problem of Democracy is a timely, provocative examination of two presidents who fought to preserve democratic integrity—and whose lessons echo across centuries. Through this engaging and scholarly narrative, Isenberg and Burstein remind us of the importance of principle over partisanship, and how the Adamses legacy can inform the future of American democracy. A must-read for history lovers and anyone concerned with the future of democratic leadership!
Price: 28.23 USD
Location: Denver, Colorado
End Time: 2024-10-30T23:04:00.000Z
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Publisher: Viking; First Edition (April 16, 2019)
Dimensions: 6.42 x 1.81 x 9.09 inches
Item Weight: 1.7 pounds
Hardcover: 576 pages
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