Description
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.
About the Author
Michael Saward is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Reviews
"Saward's The Terms of Democracy 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." Robert E. Goodin, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University
"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." David Beetham, Professor of Politics, University of Leeds
Book Information
ISBN 9780745619910
Author Michael Saward
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 367g
Dimensions(mm) 230mm * 154mm * 17mm
