In Democracy Matters, Cornel West argues that democracy and imperialism have been intertwined throughout American history. Slave labor and subjugation of indigeous peoples were equally essential to the formation of America. The fusion of these two forms of oppression continue to form the basis of our society up to the present. (Amen, brother, but did you forget to indict capitalism?)
With imperialism now dominant, West calls on us to bring forward the American "deep democratic tradition" rooted in Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Baldwin, Herman Melville, and Toni Morrison to overcome the nihilism of ruling elites. Socratic questioning, prophetic vision (rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition), and tragicomic hope (exemplified in blues and jazz) are the cultural wellsprings which the American people can draw on as they seek to restore democracy.
In a chapter on the Middle East, West's analysis of empire becomes seriously confused. He says that undemocratic Arab regimes are the primary barrier to peace, while acknowledging that Israel contributes problems as well. "Elites on both sides" are the issue. (To me, Israeli aggression is definitely the #1 problem in the Middle East.) He predicts the U.S. will abandon Israel for oil. (While I do not believe that to be the case, as Israel is too enmeshed in the U.S. military machine to be lightly discarded, I agree that Israel may soon have to compromise as it is joined by Arab regional gendarmes.) West identifies with "prophetic democratic" currents in Islam, especially the thought of Mahmoud Mohamed Taha of Sudan.
West posits a struggle between two strands of Christianity, which he terms Constantinian and prophetic. The Constantinian Christianity of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell serves the empire, while the prophetic Christianity of M.L. King and William Sloan Coffin seeks justice, but the prophetic strand is losing out in today's America.
West includes an account of his encounters with Lawrence Summers of Harvard which resulted in his departure to Princeton. He expresses his disappointment that the faculty did not support him and the media circus that obscured all the issues.
West is a keen cultural and political observer and this book amply illustrates why he ranks as an inspriational leader of the struggle for peace and justice. His analysis of empire, which is based on a Christian analysis of justice and oppression rather than in developments in the contemporary world, does not completely identify the potential sources of resistance. And West's religiously motivated identification with Israel seems to prevent him from seeing the Middle East situation objectively. However, despite these limitations West continues to inspire and enlighten, and to draw the lines of struggle.
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