Bøker av Richard A. Posner

In this timely book, the first comprehensive study of the modern American public intellectual-that individual who speaks to the public on issues of political or ideological moment-Richard Posner charts the decline of a venerable institution that included worthies from Socrates to John Dewey. This edition contains a new preface and a new epilogue.

Analyzing various decisions made by the Director of National Intelligence and examining in detail, issues from Hurricane Katrina to the national security computer networks, this book demonstrates the dangers of an overly centralized intelligence system. It also offers clear ideas for reform that go beyond risky organizational changes.

A distinguished and experienced appellate court judge, Posner offers in this new book a unique and, to orthodox legal thinkers, a startling perspective on how judges and justices decide cases.

Posner argues for a conception of the liberal state based on pragmatic theories of government. He emphasizes the institutional and material, rather than moral and deliberative, factors in democratic decision making. Posner argues that democracy is best viewed as a competition for power by means of regular elections.