Democracy and Its CriticsYale University Press, 1 oct. 2008 - 397 pages In this prize-winning book, one of the most prominent political theorists of our time makes a major statement about what democracy is and why it is important. Robert Dahl examines the most basic assumptions of democratic theory, tests them against the questions raised by its critics, and recasts the theory of democracy into a new and coherent whole. He concludes by discussing the directions in which democracy must move if advanced democratic states are to exist in the future. “When Robert Dahl speaks about democracy, everyone should listen. With Democracy and Its Critics Dahl has produced a work destined to become another classic.”—Lucian W. Pye, American Political Science Review “In this magisterial work [Dahl]… describe[s] what democracy means…; why our own democracy is still deeply flawed; and how we could reform it…. A work of extraordinary intelligence and, what is even rarer, a work of extraordinary wisdom.”—Robert N. Bellah, New York Times Book Review |
Table des matières
| 13 | |
| 24 | |
| 37 | |
| 52 | |
| 65 | |
The Idea of Equal Intrinsic Worth | 83 |
Personal Autonomy | 97 |
A Theory of the Democratic Process | 106 |
Process versus Process | 176 |
When Is a People Entitled to the Democratic Process? | 193 |
PART FIVE THE LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES OF DEMOCRACY | 211 |
Democracy Polyarchy and Participation | 225 |
How Polyarchy Developed in Some Countries | 232 |
Why Polyarchy Developed in Some Countries | 244 |
Is Minority Domination Inevitable? | 265 |
Pluralism Polyarchy and the Common Good | 280 |
The Problem of Inclusion | 119 |
Majority Rule and the Democratic Process | 135 |
Is There a Better Alternative? | 153 |
Process and Substance | 163 |
The Common Good as Process and Substance | 299 |
Democracy in Tomorrows World | 311 |
Sketches for an Advanced Democratic Country | 322 |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
adults advocates agenda alternative anarchism anarchist argument association assumption Athenian Athens believe century chapter citizens city-state claim coercion collective decisions common conflict consociationalism constitutional criteria criterion CRITIC decision rule democracy democratic countries democratic ideas democratic process democratic theory democratic unit demos direct democracy dominant minority economic elections elites equal consideration example excluded exist favorable feasible federal freedom fundamental rights Greek guardians guardianship historical hoplite human ideal important institutions of polyarchy interests intrinsic equality JEAN-JACQUES judgments justice justified laws limits MAJORITARIAN majority rule matters MDP society means military minority domination modern MODERNIST nation-state necessarily nondemocratic regimes oligarchy participate participatory democracy Plato PLURALIST polis political equality political system possible practice problem procedural justice procedures qualified question reasonable republic republican require Rousseau social Social Contract solution specific Strong Principle subcultural substantive tion TRADITIONALIST United virtue vote
Fréquemment cités
Page 270 - The executive of the modern state is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.
Page 265 - ... two classes of people appear — a class that rules and a class that is ruled. The first class, always the less numerous, performs all political functions, monopolizes power and enjoys the advantages that power brings, whereas the second, the more numerous class, is directed and controlled by the first...
Page 127 - ... whom Nature, gratitude, or other respects, may have made it due; and yet all this consists with the equality which all men are in in respect of jurisdiction or dominion one over another, which was the equality I there spoke of as proper to the business in hand, being that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man.
Page 265 - Among the constant facts and tendencies that are to be found in all political organisms, one is so obvious that it is apparent to the most casual eye. In all societies — from societies that are very meagerly developed and have barely attained the dawnings of civilization, down to the most advanced and powerful societies — two classes of people appear — a class that rules and a class that is ruled.
Page 92 - The first element of good government, therefore, being the virtue and intelligence of the human beings composing the community, the most important point of excellence which any form of government can possess is to promote the virtue and intelligence of the people themselves. The first question in respect to any political institutions is, how far they tend to foster in the members of the community the various desirable qualities, moral and intellectual; or rather (following Bentham's more complete...
Page 17 - The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive, although they inflict no positive penalty.
Page 85 - Man being by nature free and equal, no one can be subjected to the political power of another without his own consent.
Page 17 - ... for doing what he likes or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive, although they inflict no positive penalty. But all this ease in our private relations does not make us lawless as citizens.
Page 17 - If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition.