Προσθήκη στα αγαπημένα
What did democracy mean before liberalism? What are the consequences for our lives today? Combining history with political theory, this book restores the core meaning of democracy as collective and limited self-government by citizens. That, rather than majority tyranny, is what democracy meant in ancient Athens, before liberalism. Participatory self-government is the basis of political practice in 'Demopolis', a hypothetical modern state powerfully imagined by award-winning historian and political scientist Josiah Ober. Demopolis' residents aim to establish a secure, prosperous, and non-tyrannical community, where citizens govern as a collective, both directly and through representatives, and willingly assume the costs of self-government because doing so benefits them, both as a group and individually. Basic democracy, as exemplified in real Athens and imagined Demopolis, can provide a stable foundation for a liberal state. It also offers a possible way forward for religious societies seeking a realistic alternative to autocracy.
. Establishes the hypothetical modern state of 'Demopolis' to creatively and effectively demonstrate the relevance of classical Greek democracy for liberal states
. Combines history with political theory to enable knowledge of the past to support the argument for the present
. Emphasizes the relationship of democratic legitimacy, civic education, and political participation, allowing audiences to connect democracy and popular participation without resorting to populism
List of figures and tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note on the text
1. Basic democracy
2. The meaning of democracy in classical Athens
3. Founding Demopolis
4. Legitimacy and civic education
5. Human capacities and civic participation
6. Civic dignity and other necessary conditions
7. Delegation and expertise
8. A theory of democracy
Epilogue. Democracy after liberalism
Bibliography
Index.
Περιγραφή
What did democracy mean before liberalism? What are the consequences for our lives today? Combining history with political theory, this book restores the core meaning of democracy as collective and limited self-government by citizens. That, rather than majority tyranny, is what democracy meant in ancient Athens, before liberalism. Participatory self-government is the basis of political practice in 'Demopolis', a hypothetical modern state powerfully imagined by award-winning historian and political scientist Josiah Ober. Demopolis' residents aim to establish a secure, prosperous, and non-tyrannical community, where citizens govern as a collective, both directly and through representatives, and willingly assume the costs of self-government because doing so benefits them, both as a group and individually. Basic democracy, as exemplified in real Athens and imagined Demopolis, can provide a stable foundation for a liberal state. It also offers a possible way forward for religious societies seeking a realistic alternative to autocracy.
. Establishes the hypothetical modern state of 'Demopolis' to creatively and effectively demonstrate the relevance of classical Greek democracy for liberal states
. Combines history with political theory to enable knowledge of the past to support the argument for the present
. Emphasizes the relationship of democratic legitimacy, civic education, and political participation, allowing audiences to connect democracy and popular participation without resorting to populism
