Defending Identity

Summary

Natan Sharansky believes the challenge of the 21st century is to assert our cultural, ethnic, or religious identities - a struggle never more important than now. Who is better prepared to defend principles in a volatile world? Those with strong national, religious, ethnic, or tribal identities who accept democracy, or democrats who view identity as a divisive prejudice? Sharansky argues that valueless cosmopolitanism is dangerous, even in democracies. Together, identity and democracy assert a powerful and benign sense of purpose. But when at odds, they beget fundamentalism and rootlessness.

©2008 Natan Sharansky and Shira Wolosky Weiss (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.