Democracy: Government of the People or Government of the Politicians? / Edition 128

by José Nun

Overview

One hundred and fifty years ago, Abraham Lincoln stressed the pressing need for a new definition of "freedom." Today, with 85 of some 190 countries claiming to be representative democracies, José Nun makes an equally compelling case for "democracy." In emerging democracies throughout much of the developing world, the need is especially urgent, as nascent debates about democracy are modified by such descriptions as delegative, transitional, incomplete, low-intensity, relative, uncertain, or even authoritarian.

In accessible and engaging style, Nun provides a comprehensive analysis of the theory and practice of democracy from ancient Greece to contemporary Latin America. The author's authoritative historical and comparative discussion of democracy is combined with his own evaluation of the conditions and possibilities for the development of genuinely democratic societies in our time, in Latin America and throughout the world. The author identifies the preconditions of a democratic regime, the links between citizenship construction and social rights, the centrality of work for the promotion of equality and freedom, and the current democratic deficits both in core and peripheral countries. All readers will benefit from Nun's insightful distinction between two visions of democracy—government of the people or government of the politicians—and its profound consequences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742520394
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/04/2003
Series:	Critical Currents in Latin American Perspective Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.34(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

One of Latin America's most noted scholars, José Nun is senior researcher at the National Council of Technical and Scientific Investigation (CONICET) and director of the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences, the National University of General San Martín, Buenos Aires.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Part 2 Introduction Part 3 Family Resemblances Part 4 Athens and Sparta Part 5 Schumpeter and the Politicians Part 6 The Pluralist Theories Part 7 The Declaration of 1948 Part 8 Capitalism and Democracy: A First Approach Part 9 The Keynesian Alchemy Part 10 Marshall and the Citizens Part 11 From Schumpeter to Marshall Part 12 The Experience in the Developed Capitalist Countries Part 13 European Transitions to Democracy Part 14 Capitalism and Democracy: A Second Approach Part 15 Legitimacy, Moral Autonomy, and Preferences Part 16 From the Thirty Glorious Years to the Great Recession Part 17 Welfare States in Transition Part 18 The Problem of Social Exclusion Part 19 The Latin American Case Part 20 An Unhappy Balance Part 21 An Idea and Its Concrete Manifestations Part 22 Conditional Democracy Part 23 Deceiving Resemblances Part 24 Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

Nun provides a comprehensive discussion of the theory and practice of democracy from ancient Greece to contemporary Latin America. This historical and comparative discussion of democracy is combined with his own analysis of the conditions and possibilities for the development of genuinely democratic societies in our epoch, in Latin America and throughout the world.

Richard Harris

Makes a number of provocative and interesting points of a philosophical nature while advocating essentially social democratic values. The work is very well worth reading….He presents a spirited argument.

Latin America Research Review

Clearly written and concise. This book should stimulate discussion and debate as a supplemental text in the classroom. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

A major original work on democratic theory and the comparative study of new democracies that will be of great interest to scholars. In addition, its clear, readable style will make it appealing to students.

Guillermo A. O'Donnell

Clearly written and concise. This book should stimulate discussion and debate as a supplemental text in the classroom. Recommended.

Choice

Clearly written and concise. This book should stimulate discussion and debate as a supplemental text in the classroom. Recommended.

CHOICE