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Democratic LegitimacyPlural Values and Political Power |
eBook Available
The questions of value plurality, participation, rationality, and autonomy are discussed in relation to the debate over liberal communities and the procedural integrity and substantive accountability of politics.
In Democratic Legitimacy Frederick Barnard argues that political accountability is as important to the democratic ethic as political participation - and equally in need of reappraisal and invigoration. Unless its importance is recognised, accountability, like participation, will remain an idea that is easy to praise but difficult to incorporate into political life. Barnard demonstrates that in a democracy accountability is more than damage control and must be part of considerations in the political forum before decisions are made, not just after the fact when trying to assign blame.
Barnard argues that Western democracy, if it is to continue to exist as a legitimate political system, must maintain the integrity of its application of performative principles. Consequently, if both social and political democracy are legitimate goals, limitations designed to curb excessive political power may also be applicable in containing excessive economic power. Barnard stresses that whatever steps are taken to augment civic reciprocity, the observance and self-imposition of publicly recognized standards is vital. Democratic Legitimacy will appeal to political scientists and philosophers, as well as specialists in democratic theory.
Barnard argues that Western democracy, if it is to continue to exist as a legitimate political system, must maintain the integrity of its application of performative principles. Consequently, if both social and political democracy are legitimate goals, limitations designed to curb excessive political power may also be applicable in containing excessive economic power. Barnard stresses that whatever steps are taken to augment civic reciprocity, the observance and self-imposition of publicly recognized standards is vital. Democratic Legitimacy will appeal to political scientists and philosophers, as well as specialists in democratic theory.
Details
Part of the McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Ideas Series (number 34 in series)
256 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773522770
May 2003
Formats: Paperback, eBook
"Barnard's discussion of Thomasius is a valuable resuscitation of a writer who speaks to our own age about the problem of giving due place to the distinctive demands of community and citizenship." David Braybrooke, professor of government and philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin
"An original contribution to the field ... Barnard provides a number of interesting and detailed discussions of major figures in the history of political thought ... Democratic Legitimacy is a challenging read." Lesley Jacobs, Department of Philosophy, Law and Society, York University
"A work of reflective depth and power." Don Carmichael, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta
"An original contribution to the field ... Barnard provides a number of interesting and detailed discussions of major figures in the history of political thought ... Democratic Legitimacy is a challenging read." Lesley Jacobs, Department of Philosophy, Law and Society, York University
"A work of reflective depth and power." Don Carmichael, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta
Frederick M. Barnard is professor emeritus of political science, University of Western Ontario. He is the author of numerous books on political thought, including Pluralism, Socialism, and Political Legitimacy.
9780773544017
$37.95 CAD
Paperback
