The Rebellion of the Masses

Author: (Spanish) José Ortega y Gasset / Liu Xunlian et al
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: This book is one of Ortega y Gasset's most renowned works, which received widespread acclaim upon publication. The Atlantic Monthly even published an article commenting that this book, for the 20th century, was akin to The Social Contract for the 18th century and Capital for the 19th century. The Revolt of the Masses emerged in the 1930s, a particularly unique period when "mass democracy" was becoming the dominant force in European political life. The public gradually replaced traditional social elites as the dominant force in various spheres of European society and culture, and their discourse began to exhibit the characteristics of hegemonic discourse. On the other hand, the public at the time lacked the necessary political training and rational cultivation, showing a sense of inadequacy—such as being easily driven by short-sighted utilitarianism, blindly trusting the promises of political speculators, and being indifferent to the public interest, among other things. All of this was keenly observed by the author, José Ortega, and meticulously articulated in this influential work. In the book, the author accurately foresaw the dangers inherent in the public's dominance of social life (unfortunately, the great disasters in European public life later bore out the author's prophecy). He further questioned the a priori proposition that the public is capable of assuming such a dominant role. Although modern society's technology has equipped the public with the means to dominate, does that automatically grant them the qualification? Should there be a restraining force? The issues discussed by the author in the book remain highly relevant today, offering significant insights into how to effectively avoid public disasters. This is also the primary motivation for introducing this work to Chinese readers.