Product details
Biographical note
Michael Saward is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London."Saward's <i>The Terms of Democracy</i> is a masterpiece of both erudition and concision. The clear analytical style and crisp critical synopses make it one of the best brief guides to democratic theory available today." <i>Robert E. Goodin, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University</i> <p>"An impressive statement of the case for democracy. The book provides a rare combination of rigorous philosophical argument about principles with a scrupulous assessment of institutional practices in the light of those principles." <i>David Beetham, Professor of Politics, University of Leeds</i></p>
In a tightly-argued analysis, the book offers innovative accounts of the value of democracy, the links between direct and representative institutions, the question of political community, and trade-offs between democracy and competing values. Building on a justification for democracy which embraces scepticism, Saward argues that democracy means the responsiveness of government to citizens' wishes. He shows why direct democracy and an array of constitutionally guaranteed rights are crucial to democracy. A comprehensive framework for analysing trade-offs of democracy illuminates the interplay between democratic idealism and political realism. The discussion of political community cuts through conventional pessimism to show how democrats can respond positively to sub-group demands for autonomy. The Terms of Democracy will be welcomed by all those engaged in debates about democracy's present and future.
Part I: Justification:.
1. Strategies for Justification.
2. The Grounds of Political Equality.
Part II: Constituting Responsive Rule:.
3. Responsive Rule, Constitutionalism and Democratic Requirements.
4. Majority Rule and Direct Democracy.
5. Democratic Rights.
6. Democratic Institutions.
Part III: Community and Constraint:.
7. Political Units for Democracy.
8. Constrained Democracy.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.
In a tightly-argued analysis, the book offers innovative accounts of the value of democracy, the links between direct and representative institutions, the question of political community, and trade-offs between democracy and competing values. Building on a justification for democracy which embraces scepticism, Saward argues that democracy means the responsiveness of government to citizens' wishes. He shows why direct democracy and an array of constitutionally guaranteed rights are crucial to democracy. A comprehensive framework for analysing trade-offs of democracy illuminates the interplay between democratic idealism and political realism. The discussion of political community cuts through conventional pessimism to show how democrats can respond positively to sub-group demands for autonomy. The Terms of Democracy will be welcomed by all those engaged in debates about democracy's present and future.