Democracy and the Limits of Self-GovernmentThe political institutions under which we live today evolved from a revolutionary idea that shook the world in the second part of the eighteenth century: that a people should govern itself. Yet if we judge contemporary democracies by the ideals of self-government, equality, and liberty, we find that democracy is not what it was dreamt to be. This book addresses central issues in democratic theory by analyzing the sources of widespread dissatisfaction with democracies around the world. With attention throughout to historical and cross-national variations, the focus is on the generic limits of democracy in promoting equality, effective participation, control of governments by citizens, and liberty. The conclusion is that although some of this dissatisfaction has good reasons, some is based on an erroneous understanding of how democracy functions. Hence, although the analysis identifies the limits of democracy, it also points to directions for feasible reforms. |
Contents
1 Introduction | 1 |
2 SelfGovernment of the People | 17 |
3 A Brief History of Representative Institutions | 44 |
4 Equality | 66 |
5 Choice and Participation | 99 |
6 Agency | 125 |
7 Liberty | 149 |
8 Democracy as an Implementation of SelfGovernment | 161 |
References | 173 |
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actions Adam Przeworski alternations in office American Argentina argument aristocracy autonomy axioms balance bicameralism Bobbio choice citizens claim collective decisions conflicts Constitution countries democ democracy democratic distinctions Dunn economic equality economic inequality effective electoral executive exercise fact Federalist founders freedom French functions Hence idea ideal implement income incumbents independent individual preferences influence interests issues J. S. Mill José Kelsen Latin America legal order legislative elections legislature liberty limits Madison majority rule Manin modern monarchy Montesquieu Moreover Nevertheless Norway in 1814 observed outcomes participation partisan Pasquino percent platforms Poland policies political equality political parties political rights possible president propose protect racy reason redistribution regimes representative institutions Republic result Revolution role Rousseau rulers self-government separation of powers simple-majority rule social social choice theory society status quo supermajority theory thought tions turn turnout unequal unicameral United universal suffrage vote voters women