Benjamin Barber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Barber
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Barber in 2010
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| Born | August 2, 1939 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 24, 2017 (aged 77) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Academic |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Grinnell College |
| Genre | Political theory |
Benjamin R. Barber (born August 2, 1939 – died April 24, 2017) was an American thinker and writer. He was best known for his ideas about how people can work together to make democracy stronger. He wrote famous books like Jihad vs. McWorld and If Mayors Ruled the World. His 1984 book Strong Democracy talked about how people can be more involved in their government. He also advised important political leaders, including Bill Clinton.
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About Benjamin Barber's Life
Benjamin Barber was born in New York City in 1939. He went to college at Grinnell College and later studied at Harvard University. He also earned certificates from Albert Schweitzer College and the London School of Economics.
His father, Philip W. Barber, directed plays in New York City. His mother, Doris Frankel, was a writer for plays and television. Benjamin Barber also enjoyed writing plays and making films. He passed away on April 24, 2017, after a four-month battle with cancer.
Benjamin Barber's Work
Benjamin Barber was a professor and researcher. He worked at The City University of New York and Rutgers University. He also taught at the University of Maryland. From 2007 to 2012, he was a senior fellow at Demos, a public policy organization.
As a political thinker, Barber believed that people working together in their communities, known as civil society, is key to building a strong democracy. He thought that countries sometimes struggle to solve big global problems. He argued that cities and groups of cities could work together more effectively to fix shared issues.
Barber also advised leaders like President Bill Clinton. He gave advice to political parties and leaders in many countries, including the UK, Germany, and Italy. He helped them think about how to teach citizens and create ways for people to participate in government.
Understanding Strong Democracy
In his book Strong Democracy, Benjamin Barber explained a big idea. He believed that if democracy is strong in politics and communities, it can help create fairness and equality. This can happen no matter what kind of economic system a country has.
Barber's goal was not to replace the way governments usually work. Instead, he wanted to add more ways for people to get involved. He suggested ideas like allowing citizens to propose new laws or vote on laws passed by Congress. This would give ordinary people a bigger say in how their country is run.
Awards and Honors
Benjamin Barber received many awards for his work. In 2001, the French Government gave him a special honor called the Palmes Academiques/Chevalier. He also won the Berlin Prize in 2001 and the John Dewey Award in 2003.
He was given important fellowships, like the Guggenheim and Fulbright. He also received honorary doctorates from several colleges. He even held a special teaching position in Paris, France.
