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Democratic Theory Today: Challenges for the 21st Century

ISBN: 978-0-745-62194-4

December 2001

Polity

320 pages

Description
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, liberal democracy appears as the only valid form of democracy. Nonetheless, the well-established parliamentary regimes are facing serious threats to both their liberal and their democratic values. Among these threats are economic globalization and the growing assertion of cultural difference and nationalism.

This book examines some key theoretical and practical problems for democracy today, such as the nature of citizenship and forms of inequality and exclusion based on poverty, gender and ethnic or cultural difference. It also explores the challenges posed by nationalism and by claims for group rights and indigenous autonomy.

The authors discuss recent theoretical responses to the problems of political apathy and inequality, as well as globalization and identity politics. These various approaches accept the basic institutions of liberal democracy but look for ways of revitalizing political debate and participation, promoting greater equality and responding to the erosion of national sovereignty by global forces.

Democratic Theory Today will provide a lively and accessible guide for students of political science, political theory and political philosophy. It will also be of interest to those engaged in current debates about democracy.

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About the Author
April Carter is Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Government, University of Queensland

Geoffrey Stokes is Professor of Politics at Deakin University

Features

  • Provides a comprehensive and clear summary of all the major issues in democratic theory

  • Includes contributions from academics around the world giving perspectives from the UK, North America and Australia

  • Addresses issues that are not often approached in books on democratic theory for example indigenous peoples