The Rhetoric of Reaction

Perversity, Futility, Jeopardy

Albert O. Hirschman

    Preface

    One. Two Hundred Years of Reactionary Rhetoric

    Three Reactions and Three Reactionary Theses

    A Note on the Term "Reaction"

    Two. The Perversity Thesis

    The French Revolution and Proclamation of the Perverse Effect

    Universal Suffrage and Its Alleged Perverse Effects

    The Poor Laws and the Welfare State

    Reflections on the Perversity Thesis

    Three. The Futility Thesis

    Questioning the Extent of Change Wrought by the French Revolution: Tocqueville

    Questioning the Extent of Change Likely to Follow from Universal Suffrage: Mosca and Pareto

    Questioning the Extent to Which the Welfare State Delivers the Goods" to the Poor

    Reflections on the Futility Thesis

    Four. The Jeopardy Thesis

    Democracy as a Threat to Liberty

    The Welfare State as a Threat to Liberty and Democracy

    Reflections on the jeopardy Thesis

    Five. The Three Theses Compared and Combined

    A Synoptic Table

    The Comparative Influence of the Theses

    Some Simple Interactions

    A More Complex Interaction

    Six. From Reactionary to Progressive Rhetoric

    The Synergy Illusion and the Imminent-Danger Thesis

    "Having History on One's Side"

    Counterparts of the Perversity Thesis

    Seven. Beyond Intransigence

    A Turnabout in Argument?

    How Not to Argue in a Democracy

    Notes

    Acknowledgments

    Index

  • Cover: The Rhetoric of Reaction

Albert O. Hirschman is Professor of Social Science, Emeritus, at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, following a career of prestigious appointments, honors, and awards. Perhaps the most widely known and admired of his many books are Exit, Voice, and Loyalty (Harvard) and The Passions and the Interests (Princeton).