Description
Book SynopsisThis is a robust and relevant collection from a truly distinguished group of political theorists actively rethinking the promise and perils of democracy. The book is coherent in its focus on a common theme and aim: to advance and refine the political project of promoting democratic theory and practice. While the contributors are admirers of the promotion of various models of democracy they also express distinct approaches and concerns. Each builds on and expands the central theme of democracy and ultimately contends with potential limits of current configurations of democratic life. While to some extent they share common concerns they express considerable dissent and fruitful opposition that deepens and advances the debate. Contributors explore democracy from different perspectives: law and constitutionalism, globalization and development, public life and the arts, pluralism, democracy and education, and democratic listening and democratic participation. The contributions point towards
Trade ReviewThe strength of Strong Democracy in Crisis is its breadth—as Norris says, 'reading this book is akin to taking a course in the pluralistic analysis and critique of emerging democratic potentials' (p. 3). As such, anyone interested in democratic theory will find this volume valuable. Additionally, I find that two of the volume’s most intellectually interesting essays—the chapters by Gilligan and McClintock— raise challenging questions for philosophers of education. Gilligan asks her readers to consider what a democracy premised on patriarchy teaches its citizens about their voice, while McClintock reminds us that understanding the work of educators is a vital component of education in and for strong democracy. * Philosophical Inquiry in Education *
Strong Democracy in Crisis is not only a paean to the brilliant work of Dr. Benjamin Barber, but also a tour de force engagement with democratic theory from many perspectives. What is most valuable about this book, however, is its relevance to the ways in which citizens and communities around the world are trying to re-imagine democratic engagement and participatory practices to address so many of the issues that confront them. Any serious rethinking of how to design or reform the ways that citizens can best engage and be involved in shaping their communities and the world should start with this book. -- Sheila Foster, Fordham University
Table of Contents1.Strong Democracy as Cosmopolis in the Age of Global Interdependence. 2.The Polarization Crisis in the U.S. and the Future of Listening. 3.Strong Democracy and a Different Voice: What Stands in the Way? 4.Strong Democracy and Transnational Legal Spheres: Are They Compatible? 5.How Swiss is Strong Democracy?: Participatory Democracy and the Problem of Scale. 6.Reconstituting Liberal Democracy. 7.Reading Ben Barber, or Rousseau as Educator. 8.The Language and Politics of Representation in Rousseau. 9.Civil Society and Democratic Pluralism: Benjamin Barber’s Strong Democracy Revisited. 10.Constitutionalism and Medieval Arabic/Islamic Political Philosophy. 11.The Mean Girls of McWorld: Reality Television and the Attack on Strong Democracy. 12.Globalizing Political Theory: Benjamin Barber’s Contribution to Global Studies.
