Contemporary Democratic Theory

By: Simone Chambers

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Paperback | 27 October 2023 | Edition Number 1

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288 Pages

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22.86 x 15.24 x 2.54

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Is democracy worth saving? Responding to the erosion of democracy, philosophical debates have pivoted from analyzing the best forms of democracy to questioning what is so valuable about democracy to begin with, how we can save it, and whether it is indeed worth saving.

Contemporary Democratic Theory charts this pivot and surveys the most important new developments in the philosophical, theoretical, and normative examination of the concept of democracy. Comparisons that dominated 20th century democratic theory - between direct democracy, participatory democracy, deliberative democracy, and agonistic democracy - are in the 21st century giving way to comparisons between democracy and its challengers: epistocracy, technocracy, meritocracy, oligarchy, and autocracy. Philosophical interest in the canonical figures of democratic theory like Aristotle, Rousseau and Mill is being eclipsed by damage control in the face populism, sinking trust in democratic institutions, failing political parties, and the spread of misinformation.

Overarching epochal forces of crisis and threat are pushing democratic theory in new directions and towards new ideas. This refreshing and authoritative text identifies, explains, and evaluates the new directions taken by contemporary democratic theory in challenging times.

Industry Reviews

“Comprehensive and brilliant, this book demonstrates how we need to plumb the norms behind democracy in order to rebuild the failing democracies of our troubled era.”
Jane Mansbridge, Harvard University

“In this formidable book, Simone Chambers explores how the democratic values and institutions of the post-Cold War era are holding up in these times of crisis. With admirable care and sharpness, she surveys the various approaches to democracy that have flourished in the last thirty years, flagging both the dangers but also the opportunities available to strengthen and renew equal freedoms and dignity across the democratic world.”
Nadia Urbinati, Columbia University

“What should democracy mean in the 21st century? In this excellent book, Simone Chambers provides the best available survey of democratic theory and develops her own distinctive answer to that question. An invaluable resource for undergraduate and graduate teaching, the book is also a major contribution to democratic theory in its own right.”
Steven Klein, King’s College London

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