Read more
Democratization involves far more than instituting a few democratic practices, such as universal sufferage. Instead, people must be able to debate issues, have access to diverse sources of information, be able to tolerate viewpoints that are disliked, and have access to every aspect of government. But before today's society can be considered truly democratic, the entire culture must be democratized. Thus persons will demand autonomy and the freedom required to be self-governed.
Yet, as Murphy and Peck and the analysts brought together for this collection point out, self-government or democracy does not occur in a vacuum. Democracy will occur only when personal autonomy, critical thought, and the desire for self-government are encouraged by social institutions. In this collection, these and other considerations related to real, participatory democracy are the focus of attention. As such the volume will be of concern to political sociologists and those interested in social change.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction by Dennis L. Peck and John W. Murphy
Science as an Open Institution by Susan E. Cozzens
Technology Assessment and the Crisis of Science by John E. Jalbert
The Emerging Workplace by Jeffrey W. Riemer
Window of Opportunity: Educational Reform and Progressive Education by Kimberly A. Folse and Judith A. Burry
Mass Media and Democracy by Eric M. Kramer
Community Empowerment within an Alternative Economy by Herbert J. Rubin
The Need for Community-Based Health Policy: A Challenge for Democracy by William A. Vega and Amalia Gonzalez Del Valle
A Socially Sensitive Criminal Justice System by Richard A. Wright
Decentering Social Relations by John W. Murphy and Jung Min Choi
The Public Domain by Algis Mickunas
Bibliography
Index
About the author
JOHN W. MURPHY is Professor of Sociology at the University of Miami. His most recent book is
Computerization of Human Service Agencies (Auburn House, 1990).
DENNIS L. PECK is Professor of Sociology at the University of Alabama and the editor of
Sociological Inquiry. His most recent book is
The Psychosocial Effects of Hazardous Waste Disposal on Communities.
