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Deliberation, Social Choice and Absolutist Democracy
Contributor(s): Van Mill, David (Author)
ISBN: 0415390923     ISBN-13: 9780415390927
Publisher: Routledge
OUR PRICE:   $171.00  
Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats
Published: July 2006
Qty:
Annotation: Social choice theory and theories of deliberative discourse have strongly influenced the way political scientists understand the dynamics of democratic politics and decision-making. This new book addresses the dispute between these competing schools of thought.
"Deliberation, Social Choice and Absolutist Democracy" offer the two dominant conceptions of participation in contemporary democratic theory. The former holds that through the democratic process we can arrive at consensus, rational outcomes and even principles of justice, while the latter suggest that fair and equal participation is more likely to lead to instability and irrational outcomes. With an in-depth examination of social choice theory and deliberative democracy, David van Mill:
- Presents two case studies on the American Continental Congress 1774-1789.
- Provides an assessment of the types of institutions that will promote democracy and create stable outcomes with the minimum sacrifice of the freedom andequality of participants.
- Defends a more radical idea of absolutist democracy, gleaned from the writings of Hobbes, against the claims made in favor of limited constitutional government.
This book will be of interest to students and researchers of political theory, particularly those with an interest in democratic theory.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | History & Theory - General
- Political Science | Political Ideologies - Democracy
Dewey: 321.8
LCCN: 2006002352
Series: Routledge Innovations in Political Theory
Physical Information: 0.66" H x 5.66" W x 8.82" (0.82 lbs) 198 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

Social choice theory and theories of deliberative discourse have deeply impacted on the way political scientists understand the dynamics of democratic politics and decision-making. Deliberation, Social Choice and Absolutist Democracy addresses the dispute between these competing schools of thought.

Deliberative democracy and social choice theorists offer the two dominant and competing conceptions of participation in contemporary democratic theory. With the former holding that theories of discourse tell us that through the democratic process we can arrive at consensus, rational outcomes and even principles of justice, while the latter suggest that fair and equal participation is more likely to lead to instability and irrational outcomes.

With an in-depth examination of social choice theory and deliberative democracy, David van Mill:

  • presents two case studies on the American Continental Congress 1774-1789
  • provides an assessment of the types of institutions that will promote radical democracy and create stable outcomes with the minimum sacrifice of the freedom and equality of participants
  • defends a more radical idea of absolutist democracy, gleaned from the writings of Hobbes, against the claims made in favour of limited constitutional government.

This book will be of interest to students and researchers of political theory, particularly those with an interest in democracy and social choice theory.