Werner Peters

SOCIETY ON THE RUN - A European View of Life in America

“This book is about America, about democracy and about movement being the essence of democracy. ... I went through my personal 'Americanization' by getting to know the 'American way of life' in the country itself and by accepting it as the dominating cultural force of the outgoing twentieth century. Since those days, I have ... been observing the irresistible advance of American culture that is changing the face not only of Europe, but also of the whole world." - From the Preface

"The best books about Americans have been written by Europeans, it is widely agreed. Peters joins here the tradition of Alexis de Tocqueville, James Bryce, and Gunnar Myrdal. Sweeping and insightful, unconventional and explorative, a book for our time." - Amitai Etzioni, The George Washington University

"In the spirit of Tocqueville, a modern European revisits the political, economic and social institutions of American democracy in the current cultural context. Dr. Peters combines scholarly insight and personal experience to painstakingly examine contemporary electoral politics, the legal system, the media and advertising industries, consumerism, pop culture, all within the American obsession for massive and rapid change. Throughout, he effectively uses pointed examples of American humor, satire, and parody to illustrate a society in constant turmoil and transition." - Eugene J. McCarthy, former U.S. Senator, Minnesota

"With fresh eyes, Werner Peters ... captures for us the power of democracy in America: the openness and flexibility of society, the willingness to undertake risks and change, and the spirit of rebellion and resistance to encroachments of government power. He also warns us of the dangers to democracy when selffulfillment becomes society's absolute goal." - Representative Lee H. Hamilton, Committee on International Relations, 104th Congress

Dr. Werner Peters, a native of Germany, studied at the University of Bonn and at Harvard University. In the late sixties he was a Congressional Fellow and served as Director of the McCarthy Historical Project, a documentation of the 1968 presidential campaign. Subsequently, Dr. Peters worked as a political consultant in Germany, traveling frequently and extensively throughout the United States.

INDEX

List of Illustrations
“Are You Running with Me Jesus?” Eugene J. McCarthy
Preface to the German Edition
Preface to the American Edition
Acknowledgments
Triumph or Resignation?
(Post-) Modern Democracy
Pursuit of Happiness
Money, Part Motor and Nemesis of Democracy
Money, Part II - Democratizing Money
The Existential Runner
The Oral Society
Pragmatism and Fundamentalism
Elections and Parties
Plebiscite and Participation
"Astrocracy” and Bureaucracy
The Imperial Presidency
Pax Americana, Part I - Mission to Save the World
Pax Americana, Part II - Militarizing the Society
A State of Law(yers)
The Media
The Flirtation with the End of History
Social Decline, Poverty, and Crime
Reality and Fiction
Wild at Heart
Life Is Fun, Part I - The Pathology of Happiness
Life Is Fun, Part II - Outlook Bibliography