Defending Identity
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| Defending Identity: Its Indispensable Role in Protecting Democracy | |
| Author | Natan Sharansky with Shira Wolosky Weiss |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Public Affairs |
| Publication date | 2008 |
| Published in English |
June 1, 2008 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 234 |
Defending Identity: Its Indispensable Role in Protecting Democracy is a book by Natan Sharansky published in June 2008.
In Defending Identity Sharansky presents nationalism and religious commitment as a "force for good," not merely an ideology of evil. "Strong identities are as valuable to a well-functioning society as they are to ... well-functioning individuals." He writes that "without identity, a democracy becomes incapable of defending the values it holds most dear." [1]
Sharansky makes a provocative argument against Western intellectuals who have increasingly come to see religion and nationalism as antithetical to freedom. Jonathan S. Tobin writes that "Sharansky reminds us democracies can't defend themselves without 'identity,'” [2]
Ira Stoll writes that, “If the next American president reads this latest book by Mr. Sharansky on the interplay between identity, democracy, and freedom, it could be more important than any CIA or State Department briefing in understanding the foreign policy horizon.” [3]
[edit] References
- ^ quotations form the book cited in Jonathan S. Tobin, “Rediscovering the Will to Win Sharansky reminds us democracies can't defend themselves without 'identity,'” Jewish Exponent, May 29, 2008 [1]
- ^ “Rediscovering the Will to Win," Jonathan S. Tobin, "Jewish Exponent," May 29, 2008 [2]
- ^ Ira Stoll , “The Foundation of Democracy: Sharansky's 'Defending Identity,'” New York Sun, May 28, 2008, [3]
