European University Institute Library

Politics and process, new essays in democratic thought, edited by Geoffrey Brennan and Loren E. Lomasky

eng

index present

non fiction

Politics and process

electronic resource

dictionaries

708565298

edited by Geoffrey Brennan and Loren E. Lomasky

Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

new essays in democratic thought

Much of the most interesting and controversial work in analyzing democratic institutions over the recent past has its intellectual origins in public choice economics. The political arena provides the analytical framework for the study of human behaviour in markets, and the currency in votes and party competition is a primary mechanism for the implementation of public policy. This book explores the strengths and weaknesses of democratic institutions in a series of essays representing a variety of disciplinary perspectives, which compare the merits of the democratic market with those of more conventional markets. Ultimately, the public choice analysis in these studies leads to a deep-seated political skepticism which must confront the customary unquestioning enthusiasm for democracy. This challenge to its enthusiasts should provoke a more profound understanding of democracy's purposes and, in general, a more refined form of political theorizing.--, Provided by publisher

The justification of democracy / J. Roland Pennock -- Large numbers, small costs / Geoffrey Brennan and Loren E. Lomasky -- Evaluating the institutions of liberal democracy / William Nelson -- Democracy / Dennis C. Mueller -- The democratic order and public choice / Peter H. Aranson -- Radical federalism / David Osterfeld -- Contractarian presuppositions and democratic governance / James M. Buchanan -- In quest of the social contract / James S. Fishkin -- Rationality and the justificatin of democracy / Jules Coleman -- The morality of democracy and the rule of law / Shirley Robin Letwin

Politics & Process