Democracy: History, Theory, Practice

ISBN-13: 9780813332284 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 403 str.

Sanford A. Lakoff

Opis

Written with remarkable erudition and clarity, this text is the most comprehensive introduction to democracy available in a single volume. Tocquevillian in its scope and historical-philosophical in its orientation, Democracy traces popular government from its classical origins through the authoritarian and totalitarian backlash of the twentieth century. Unified by the theme of democracy as autonomycommunal, plural, and individualthe study examines democratic government and politics in normative, institutional, and procedural terms.Students of democracy will find this book especially valuable for its account of the democratic ideal as a concept in the history of political thought, ranging from Athenian direct democracy and Roman republicanism to liberal democracy. Showing the interplay of theory and practice, Lakoff analyzes the character of modern democracy, or compound autonomy, as expressed in voting and electoral systems, federalism, and efforts of democratization around the world. His synthesis leads to the conclusion that although democracy is neither perfect nor inevitable, it is humanity's best hope."

Spis treści

1. The New Appeal of an Old Ideal 2. Democracy as the Quest for Autonomy History 3. Communal Autonomy: Athenian Democracy 4. Plural Autonomy: Roman and Later Republicanism 5. Individual Autonomy: Liberal Democracy 6. Backlash: Criticism and the Rise of Modern Autocracy Theory 7. Modern Democracy: Compound Autonomy 8. The Individual and the Group: Voting and Elections 9. Federalism: Devolution and Cooperation Practice 10. Democratization: Perils of the Passage 11. Autonomy Against Itself: Pitfalls and Pathologies 12. Democracy and World Peace: Euphoria Limited Conclusion 13. Democracy and Its Prospects

O autorze

Sanford Lakoff is professor emeritus of political science at the University of California at San Diego. He is the author of many books and articles, including Equality in Political Philosophy and A Shield in Space? (coauthored with Herbert F. York). Sanford Lakoff is professor emeritus of political science at the University of California at San Diego. He is the author of many books and articles, including Equality in Political Philosophy and A Shield in Space? (coauthored with Herbert F. York).