The dispersion of power : a critical realist theory of democracy / Samuel Ely Bagg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bagg, Samuel Ely, author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (266 pages)

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2024.

Summary:

'The Dispersion of Power' is an urgent call to rethink centuries of conventional wisdom about what democracy is, why it matters, and how to make it better. Drawing from history, social science, psychology, and critical theory, it explains why elections do not and cannot realise the classic ideal of popular rule, and why prevailing strategies of democratic reform often make things worse. Instead, Bagg argues, we should see democracy as a way of protecting public power from capture - an alternative vision that is at once more realistic and more inspiring.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Contents

Introduction

PART ONE DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATIONS

1. A Critical Realist Theory of Democracy

2. Beyond Responsive Representation

3. Beyond Participatory Inclusion

PART TWO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

4. What Is State Capture?

5. Structuring Public Power: The Liberal Demands of Democracy

6. Dispersing Private Power: The Radical Demands of Democracy

7. Resisting State Capture as a Democratic Ideal

PART THREE DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES

8. The Power of the Multitude: A Realistic Defense of Elections

9. Fighting Power with Power: An Agenda for Democratic Policy

10. Organizing for Power: A Paradigm for Democratic Action

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Also issued in print: 2024.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource and publisher information; title from PDF title page (viewed on November 30, 2023).

ISBN:

0-19-194402-5

0-19-266500-6

0-19-266501-4

OCLC:

1411052181