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This work offers a timely philosophical analysis of fundamental principles of democracy and the meaning of democracy today. It explores the influence of big money and capitalism on democracy, the role of information and the media in democratic elections, and constitutional issues that challenge democracy in the wake of increased threats to privacy since 2001 and in light of the Citizens United decision of the US Supreme Court.
It juxtaposes alternate positions from experts in law and philosophy and examines the question of legitimacy, as well as questions about the access to information, the quality of information, the obligations to attain epistemic competence among the electorate, and the power of money.
Drawing together different political perspectives, as well as a variety of disciplines, this collection allows readers the opportunity to compare different and opposing moral and political solutions that both defend and transform democratic theory and practice.
List of contents
Table of Contents.- Acknowledgement.- About the Authors.- 1. Philosophical Perspectives on Democracy in the 21 st Century: Introduction; Ann E. Cudd and Sally J. Scholz.- Part I. The Meaning of Democracy.- 2. Democracy: A Paradox of Rights?; Emily R. Gill.- 3. Rights and the American Constitution: The Issue of Judicial Review and its Compatibility with Democracy; Rex Martin.- 4. Democracy as a Social Myth; Richard T. DeGeorge.- Part II. The Current Polarization.- 5. Political Polarization and the Markets vs. Government Debate; Stephen Nathanson.- 6. Two Visions of Democracy; Richard Barron Parker.- 7. Proportional Representation, the Single Transferable Vote, and Electoral Pragmatism; Richard Nunan.- 8. The Problem of Democracy in the Context of Polarization; Imer B. Flores.- Part III. Democracy, Capitalism, and the Influence of Big Money.- 9. Is Justice Possible under Welfare State Capitalism?; Steven P Lee.- 10. Rawls on Inequality, Social Segregation and Democracy; Mark Navin.- 11. Mass Democracy in a Postfactual Market Society: Citizens United and the Role of Corporate Political Speech; F. Patrick Hubbard.- 12. A Tsunami of Filthy Lucre: How the Decisions of the SCOTUS Imperil American Democracy; Jonathan Schonsheck.- 13. Democracy and Economic Inequality; Alistair M. Macleod.- Part IV. Democratic Decisions and the (Un) Informed Public.- 14. Epistocracy Within Public Reason; Jason Brennan.- 15. Journalists as Purveyors of Partial Truths; Russell Waltz.- 16. Motivated Reasoning, Group Identification, and Representative Democracy; Kenneth Henley.- 17. Republics, Passions and Protests; Wade L. Robison.- Index.
Summary
This work offers a timely philosophical analysis of fundamental principles of democracy and the meaning of democracy today. It explores the influence of big money and capitalism on democracy, the role of information and the media in democratic elections, and constitutional issues that challenge democracy in the wake of increased threats to privacy since 2001 and in light of the Citizens United decision of the US Supreme Court.
It juxtaposes alternate positions from experts in law and philosophy and examines the question of legitimacy, as well as questions about the access to information, the quality of information, the obligations to attain epistemic competence among the electorate, and the power of money.
Drawing together different political perspectives, as well as a variety of disciplines, this collection allows readers the opportunity to compare different and opposing moral and political solutions that both defend and transform democratic theory and practice.
Additional text
From the book reviews:
“This volume succeeds in offering a stimulating array of reflections on perennial philosophical debates and contemporary political challenges while maintaining a high degree of thematic coherence. … essays are uniformly thought provoking and well written. … It will be welcomed by anyone looking for an overview of current debates at the intersection of philosophy, law and political science about the problems and prospects of democracy under the conditions of contemporary capitalism.” (James Gledhill, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, October, 2014)
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From the book reviews:
"This volume succeeds in offering a stimulating array of reflections on perennial philosophical debates and contemporary political challenges while maintaining a high degree of thematic coherence. ... essays are uniformly thought provoking and well written. ... It will be welcomed by anyone looking for an overview of current debates at the intersection of philosophy, law and political science about the problems and prospects of democracy under the conditions of contemporary capitalism." (James Gledhill, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, October, 2014)
