The Political Ideas of Leo Strauss, Updated Edition: With a New Introduction by the Author

By Shadia B. Drury

Book Overview

Now in paperback, this book explores the political thought of Leo Strauss, a philosopher most noted for playing a key role in neoconservative thought in America. Drury explores Strauss's thought and its role in American politics, exposing what she argues are the elitist, nearly authoritarian strains within it and those who follow it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 140396954X
• ISBN13: 9781403969545
• Release Date: July 2012
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

The demystification of Leo Strauss - somewhat

As the author states in her original introduction, understanding Strauss for the lay reader is virtually impossible, because he purposely obscures his ideas. According to Straussians, devoted acolytes of Strauss, the truth, at least as they see it, is far too disturbing for mere mortals to accept. Only god-like, elite philosophers can deal with harsh reality. Strauss engages in what are termed esoteric and exoteric (safe) writings. The purpose of this book is to shed some light on the esoteric writing. Basically Straussians are anti-democratic in the sense of recognizing natural equality among men. Instead they subscribe to the domination of the strong over the weak - the reality of the natural world. To them, a stable social order requires that elites endorse and feed a diet of religion, deceit, and shibboleths to the common man to hide their reality-based agendas. In a new introduction, the author makes clear that the neo-conservatives of the Bush administration are dominated by Straussians. It is interesting that she recognizes that philosophical elites require simple-thinking, true-believers of societal platitudes to carry out their radical policies - the very epitome of which is George Bush. Constant, chauvanistic war mongering is essential to keep the population in a non-thinking fervor, while more calculating elements like multi-national corporations can proceed with their agendas relatively unimpeded. The current and non-ending war on terror is a perfect vehicle to suspend analysis of policies and actions. However, it is disturbing when the elected leaders of a nation actually believe their own propaganda and convince others of its veracity. This book, while demystifying Strauss to some extent, is itself not an easy read. But before one plunges into Strauss, it is a good place to start.

STRAUSS DENOUNCED IN DETAIL

Shadia Drury's book originally was a cool and brilliant analysis of the Strauss dogmas, restrained in its criticism. This new edition is preceded by an even more brilliant 57-page preface which emphatically exposes the radicalism Strauss transmitted to his students. They now surround President Bush. His catastrophic policies show that Strauss' near-fascist teachings have infected their advice to him. Absolutely a must read for everyone who wants to know the political doctrines behind our present disaster in Iraq. Sartre88

Eminence grise--(i.e. hidden consultants of dot.gov, etc...)

This book should be back in print, soon. Many of the puzzles of the current regime change (Washington, not Bhagdad) might be illuminated by a read of this text, since Leo Strauss seems to be the object of a neo-conservative fan club. Shocked? Bush is a poor liar, but he has cripped enough notes on Machiavelli from Straussian staff, no doubt, to fool enough of the people enough of the time. Strauss' intellectual legacy is highly sophisticated,oulala stuff, but too eccentrically dangerous for governmental morons. In the hands of saddle tramps from the Texas bourgeoisie--uh oh!