Democratic Faith

The book critiques the belief among democratic supporters that human beings must be transformed to align with democratic ideals. Patrick Deneen explores the tension between the aspiration for selfless commitment and the reality of self-interest, highlighting the "transformative impulse" often expressed in religious terms, such as political "redemption." This examination reveals a paradox where the call for transformation coexists with a condemnation of traditional religious beliefs, prompting a deeper analysis of the foundations of democratic theory.