On political equality / Robert A. Dahl.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dahl, Robert Alan, 1915-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy.

Equality.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (157 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Robert A. Dahl, one of the world's most influential and respected political scientists, has spent a lifetime exploring the institutions and practices of democracy in such landmark books as Who Governs?, On Democracy, and How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Here, Dahl looks at the fundamental issue of equality and how and why governments have fallen short of their democratic ideals. At the center of the book is the question of whether the goal of political equality is so far beyond our human limits that it should be abandoned in favor of more attainable ends, or if there are ways to realistically address and reduce inequities. Though complete equality is unattainable, Dahl argues that strides toward that ideal are both desirable and feasible. He shows the remarkable shift in recent centuries toward democracy and political equality the world over. He explores the growth of democratic institutions, the expansion of citizenship, and the various obstacles that stand in the way of gains in political equality. Dahl also looks at the motives, particularly those of emotion and reason, that play such a crucial role in the struggle for equality. In conclusion, Dahl assesses the contemporary political landscape in the United States. He looks at the likelihood of political inequality increasing, and poses one scenario in which Americans grow more unequal in their influence over their government. The counter scenario foresees a cultural shift in which citizens, rejecting what Dahl calls "competitive consumerism," invest time and energy in civic action and work to reduce the inequality that now exists among Americans.

Contents:

Introduction

Is political equality a reasonable goal?

Is political equality achievable?

A respectable role for emotions

Political equality, human nature, and society

Will political inequality increase in the United States?

Why political inequality may decline.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [123]-130) and index.

ISBN:

9786611722661

9781281722669

1281722669

9780300133745

030013374X

OCLC:

923588368