Rethinking Democracy: Freedom and Social Cooperation in Politics, Economy, and Society

ISBN-13: 9780521386296 / Angielski / Miękka / 1989 / 376 str.

Carol C. Gould

Opis

This important book offers a fundamental reconsideration of the theory of democracy, arguing that democratic decision making should apply not only to politics but also to economic and social life. Professor Gould redefines traditional concepts of freedom and social equality, and proposes a principle of Equal Positive Freedom in which individual freedom and social cooperation are seen to be compatible. Reformulating basic conceptions of property, authority, economic justice and human rights, the author suggests a number of ways in which these principles could be realized in social institutions. She also discusses such issues as democratic control of technology, the nature of democratic personality, and the question of democracy in international relations.

Recenzje

' … she present her case with muted words and moderate arguments, not only taking time to consider rival theories of democracy, but stating them as lucidly and attractively as their original exponents , and sometimes even more so. A more impartial and fair-minded advocate it would be hard to find … no reader can fail to be impressed by the intellectual rigour of her presentation and the charm of her style.' Maurice Cranston, The Times Literary Supplement

Spis treści

Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Freedom, reciprocity, and democracy 2. Ontological foundations of democracy; 3. Social ontology and the question of foundationalism in ethics; 4. Economic justice, self-management, and the principle of reciprocity; 5. Equal rights, individual differences, and the ideal of self-development: paradoxes in the theory of democracy; 6. Contemporary legal conceptions of property and their implications for democracy; 7. What are the human rights? 8. Making participation and authority compatible; 9. Participation and self-management: a model of democracy 10. Technology and ethics: should technology be left to the experts? 11. The democratic personality: self-development, character, and political participation; 12. Cosmopolitical democracy: moral principles among nations; Notes; Index.