What Kind Of Democracy Is This

The broad expansion of non-electoral political participation is considered one of the major changes in the nature of democratic citizenship in the 21st century. Most scholars – but also governments, transnational and subnational political institutions, and various foundations – have adopted the notion that contemporary democratic societies need a more politically active citizenry. Yet, contemporary democracies widely differ in the extent to which their citizens get involved in politics beyond voting. Why is political activism other than voting flourishing in the United States, but is less common in Britain and almost non-existent in post-communist countries like Bulgaria? The book shows that the answer does not lie in citizen’s predispositions, social capital or institutions of consensual democracy. Instead, the key to understanding cross-country differences in political activism beyond voting rests in democratic structures that combine inclusiveness and contestation. What Kind of Democracy? is the first book to provide a theoretically driven empirical analysis of how different types of democratic arrangements affect individual participation in non-electoral politics.

Has there ever been a period in modern history when democratic politics seemed more unpredictable or unruly? In the face of a set of global challenges almost beyond control or comprehension, the old rules by which politics were once both ordered and understood have waned. Very few voices exist to help us comprehend these challenges--commentators who can run the gamut from democracy to disgust, from the micro to the macro, and from love to loathing. And yet this is exactly what Matt Flinders delivers in this book, expertly ranging across topics as diverse as architecture, art, mountain running, and fairy tales in his attempt to understand the emerging democratic landscape. Refreshing and stimulating, What Kind of Democracy Is This? is an engagingly written melding of political scholarship and popular culture that both informs and provokes.

For as long as individuals have lived alongside one another there have been governing structures—bodies established to maintain order and justice, entrusted to provide basic needs and services to their constituents. Disparate beliefs and interests have given rise to many forms of government throughout history, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This engaging volume allows readers to examine the various forms of government that have developed around the world, with a special focus on the ascension of democracy.

Principles to realization - Cherif Bassiouni

Examining 36 democracies from 1945 to 2010, this text arrives at conclusions about what type of democracy works best. It demonstrates that consensual systems stimulate economic growth, control inflation and unemployment, and limit budget deficits.

Fathali M. Moghaddam explores how psychological factors influence the presence, potential development, or absence of democracy. Recommendations are given for promoting the psychological processes that foster democracy. Where democracy thrives, it seems far and away the best system of governance. Yet, relatively few countries have managed to transition successfully to democracy, and none of them have attained what Fathali M. Moghaddam calls "actualized democracy," the ideal in which all citizens share full, informed, equal participation in decision making. The obstacles to democratization are daunting, yet there is hope. What is it about human nature that seems to work for or against democracy? The Psychology of Democracy explores political development through the lens of psychological science. He examines the psychological factors influencing whether and how democracy develops within a society, identifies several conditions necessary for democracy (such as freedom of speech, minority rights, and universal suffrage), and explains how psychological factors influence these conditions. He also recommends steps to promote in citizens the psychological characteristics that foster democracy. Written in a style that is both accessible and intellectually engaging, the book skillfully integrates research and an array of illustrative examples from psychology, political science and international relations, history, and literature.

Presents a selection of questions and answers covering the principles of democracy, including human rights, free and fair elections, open and accountable government, and civil society.

Cet ouvrage couvre la période qui va de 1758 à nos jours.