Deliberative Democracy and Beyond: Liberals, Critics, Contestations (Oxford Political Theory)

In this ground-breaking study, John Dryzek argues that democratic theory is now dominated by a deliberative approach. As one of those responsible for this turn, John Dryzek now takes issue with the direction it has taken. Discussing the models of democracy advocated by both friends and critics of the deliberative approach, Dryzek shows that democracy should be critical of established power, transitional in extending beyond national boundaries, and dynamic in its openness to changing constraints upon and opportunities for democratization. Deliberative Democracy And Beyond Examines The Deliberative Turn In Democratic Theory, Which Argues That The Essence Of Democratic Legitimacy Is To Be Found In Authentic Deliberations On The Part Of Those Affected By A Collective Decision. Drawing A Distinction Between Liberal Constitutionalist Deliberative Democracy And Discursive Democracy, The Author Criticizes The Former And Advocates The Latter. He Argues That A Defensible Theory Of Democracy Should Be Critical Of Established Power, Pluralistic, Reflexive In Its Questioning Orientation To Established Traditions, Transnational In Its Capacity To Extend Across State Boundaries, Ecological, And Dynamic In Its Openness To Everchanging Constraints Upon And Opportunities For Democratization. Dryzek's Reinvigorated Approach Enables Deliberative Democracy To Respond More Effectively To The Criticisms That Have Been Leveled Against It.--jacket. Liberal Democracy And The Critical Alternative -- Minimal Democracy? The Social Choice Critique -- Difference Democracy: The Consciousness-raising Group Against The Gentlemen's Club -- Insurgent Democracy: Civil Society And State -- Transnational Democracy: Beyond The Cosmopolitan Model -- Green Democracy -- Discursive Democracy In A Reflexive Modernity. John S. Dryzek. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This critical tour through recent democratic theory examines the deliberative turn in democratic theory which argued that democratic legitimacy is to be found in authentic deliberations on the part of those affected by a collective decision.