Summary of Astra Taylor's Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 Writing a book is not a democratic process, but it is not a solitary one either. It is the result of the combined efforts of many people, from my agent to the people I interviewed for the film.

#2 I owe a huge thank you to the Baffler, where I first tested out and published some of the material that made it into this book. I never doubt Riva Hocherman’s judgment, and I have benefited enormously from her erudition, skill, and impressive grasp of how books work.

#3 I am extremely grateful to the people who helped me wrangle the manuscript into shape outside of official editing channels. My parents, siblings, and extended family are my anchor and inspiration.

#4 Democracy is a word that is all around us, used in many different contexts. It is invoked in government, business, technology, education, and media. Yet, its meaning is rarely considered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822534414

IRB Media

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Insights on Astra Taylor's Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Writing a book is not a democratic process, but it is not a solitary one either. It is the result of the combined efforts of many people, from my agent to the people I interviewed for the film.

#2

I owe a huge thank you to the Baffler, where I first tested out and published some of the material that made it into this book. I never doubt Riva Hocherman’s judgment, and I have benefited enormously from her erudition, skill, and impressive grasp of how books work.

#3

I am extremely grateful to the people who helped me wrangle the manuscript into shape outside of official editing channels. My parents, siblings, and extended family are my anchor and inspiration.

#4

Democracy is a word that is all around us, used in many different contexts. It is invoked in government, business, technology, education, and media. Yet, its meaning is rarely considered.

#5

Many who question democracy do so out of disillusionment, fear, and outrage. Democracy has never been easy or straightforward, and it will never be. As such, we must constantly re-evaluate and renew it, not just the system but ourselves as well.

#6

Many people who claim to value democracy have a difficult time defending the principle in a meaningful or substantive way. They typically just say that they value it, without explaining why.

#7

While democracy is generally considered to consist of one person, one vote, exercised in periodic elections, there are many countries that have moved from authoritarianism to democracy since 1980. However, democracy is not invincible, and can be eroded by the actions or inaction of human beings who have lost touch with or sabotaged the responsibilities and possibilities that a system of self-government entails.

#8

Rule of the people, by definition, means rule of the poor. In modern times, this has been negated by neoliberlaism, which has dismantled hard-won democratic gains.

#9

When we stop to ask what democracy means, we’ll realize that the problems plaguing us are not new or unique; they are as old as democracy itself.

#10

Democracy is intellectually hard, but it is also action. It demands that people reason and reflect on the questions of what kind of society they want to live in and why,