Liberal Democracy 3.0: Civil Society in an Age of Experts (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

This is a very fine text, a powerful piece of work that deserves to be read widely. The analysis is truly panoramic. It ranges across central concerns in the fields of social theory, political theory, and science studies and engages with and/or draws upon the ideas of key classical and contemporary thinkers, including Tocqueville, Weber, Schumpeter, Polyani, Habermas, Foucault, Schmitt and Beck' - Barry Smart, Professor of Sociology, University of Portsmouth What are the political implications of 'expert' knowledge and especially scientific knowledge for liberal democracy? If knowledge is not evenly distributed upon what basis can the philosophy of equal rights be sustained? This important book points to the crisis in knowledge in liberal democracies. This crisis, simply put, is that most citizens cannot understand, much less judge, the claims scientists make. One response is the appointment of public commissions to provide conclusions for policy-makers to act upon. There are also `commissions from below', such as grass roots associations that quiz the limits of expert knowledge and power and make rival knowledge claims. Do these commissions represent a new stage in the development of liberal democracy? Or is it merely a pragmatic device of no political consequence. The central argument of the book is that in a `knowledge society' in which specialized knowledge is increasingly important to politics, more has to be delegated because democratic discussion can't handle it. This limitation in the scope of liberal democracy threatens its fundamental character. The book will be required reading in the fields of social theory, political theory and science studies. (A cura dell'editore) This Important Book Highlights The Crisis In Knowledge In Liberal Democracies. This Crisis, Simply Put, Is That Most Citizens Cannot Understand, Much Less Judge, The Claims Scientists Make. One Response Is The Appointment Of Public Commissions To Provide Conclusions For Policymakers To Act Upon. There Are Also 'commission From Below,' Such As Grassroots Associations, That Question The Limits Of Expert Knowledge And Power And Make Rival Knowledge Claims. Do These Commissions Represent A New Stage In The Development Of Liberal Democracy, Or Are They Merely A Pragmatic Device Of No Political Consequence? The Central Argument Of The Book Is That In A 'knowledge Society' In Which Specialized Knowledge Is Increasingly Important To Politics, The Position Of Democractic Discussion Becomes Weakened. This Limitation In The Scope Of Liberal Democracy Threatens Its Fundamental Character. The Book Will Be Essential Reading In The Fields Of Social Theory, Political Theory And Science Studies. -- From Back Cover. Introduction: Thinking Politically About Experts -- The Last Inequality -- Is Rational Discourse With Experts Possible? -- Filling The Gap: The Rise Of Knowledge Associations And 'expertization' -- Three Eras Of Liberalism -- The Withering Away Of Civil Society? Stephen P. Turner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [144]-150) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Contents ......Page 6 Foreword ......Page 8 1: Introduction: Thinking Politically about Experts ......Page 12 2: The Last Inequality ......Page 29 3: Is Rational Discourse With Experts Possible? ......Page 57 4: Filling the Gap: The Rise of Knowledge Associations and 'Expertization' ......Page 82 5: Three Eras of Liberalism......Page 108 6: The Withering Away of Civil Society?......Page 140 References ......Page 155 Index ......Page 162 Text highlights the crisis in knowledge in liberal democracies: that most citizens cannot understand, much less judge, the claims scientists make. Central argument is that in a 'knowledge society' in which specialized knowledge is increasingly so important to politics, the position of democratic discussion becomes weakened. Softcover, hardcover available.