Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism: Prometheus in Political Theory

Michail Theodosiadis

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Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism

Prometheus in Political Theory

Michail Theodosiadis

Language: English

Published/Copyright: 2025

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About this book

Traces the remnants of Ancient Greek democratic thought in American Republicanism

Discusses important and influential works of ancient Greek tragedy, such as Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and Euripides' Trojan Women
Reformulates Arendt’s approach to the American Revolution with the French Revolution, where she traces elements of ancient Greek democracy in modernity
Builds on Lasch’s views on the Populist movement, while reflecting on Aristotle’s Politics and Nicomachean Ethics, to deepen our understanding of participatory political possibilities from ancient to modern times
Incorporates abolitionist perspectives on the concept of ‘political Prometheanism’, showing how important debates on contemporary challenges are central to our understanding of the feasibility of participatory politics

Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism explores the archetype of Prometheus in political theory, representing faith in human agency and self-governance. It borrows perspectives from Hannah Arendt and Christopher Lasch, tracing Promethean elements in the philosophy behind the ancient Athenian polis as well as in early American republican thought, which laid the foundations of the American Revolution and also of the Populist Movement during the nineteenth century. The second principle of Prometheanism revolves around a 'tragic vision' of life and human nature; Prometheanism questions optimistic ideologies advocating human perfection or endless improvement. Ancient Greek democracy and early American republicanism maintain a balanced – else called melioristic – approach to human agency and potential. They value the importance of action, without promising endless betterment and assured happiness. Finally, cultural heritage and identity are seen as crucial for participatory (Promethean) politics. With this in mind, the book criticises mainstream liberal trends and questions the ardent optimism and cultural nihilism of the republicanism of the French Revolution

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Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	vi
Introduction Delving into Promethean Politics: Uncovering Ancient Greek Roots and American Traditions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	1
Chapter 1 Prometheanism and Action: Beyond Hannah Arendt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	29
Chapter 2 Anti-Prometheanism: Political Pessimism and Liberal Optimism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	63
Chapter 3 Dispensing the Leviathan: Ethical Memory and Parrhesia Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	111
Chapter 4 The French and the American Revolutions: ‘No Voice but an Echo’ Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	158
Chapter 5 American Populism: The ‘Lost Promethean Treasure’ Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	228
Epilogue Forging the Future: Promethean Principles in Modernity and Beyond Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	264
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	270
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	283

Publishing information

Pages and Images/Illustrations in book

eBook published on:

March 7, 2025

eBook ISBN:

9781399537315

Pages and Images/Illustrations in book

Main content:

296

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781399537315

eBook ISBN: 9781399537315

Keywords for this book

Politics

Audience(s) for this book

For universities and colleges of further and higher education

Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism

Overview

About this book

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