In this prize-winning book, one of the most prominent political theorists of our time makes a major statement about what democracy is and why it is important. Robert Dahl examines the most basic assumptions of democratic theory, tests them against the questions raised by its critics, and recasts the theory of democracy into a new and coherent whole. He concludes by discussing the directions in which democracy must move if advanced democratic states are to exist in the future. “When Robert Dahl speaks about democracy, everyone should listen. With Democracy and Its Critics Dahl has produced a work destined to become another classic.”―Lucian W. Pye, American Political Science Review “In this magisterial work [Dahl]... describe[s] what democracy means...; why our own democracy is still deeply flawed; and how we could reform it.... A work of extraordinary intelligence and, what is even rarer, a work of extraordinary wisdom.”―Robert N. Bellah, New York Times Book Review Robert A. Dahl , Sterling Professor of Political Science Emeritus at Yale Universtiy, is also the author of Who Governs?, After the Revolution?, Polyarchy, and Dilemmas of Pluralist Democracy, all available from Yale University Press. In This Prize-winning Book, One Of The Most Prominent Political Theorists Of Our Time Makes A Major Statement About What Democracy Is And Why It Is Important. Robert Dahl Examines The Most Basic Assumptions Of Democratic Theory, Tests Them Against The Questions Raised By Its Critics, And Recasts The Theory Of Democracy Into A New And Coherent Whole. He Concludes By Discussing The Direction In Which Democracy Must Move If Advanced Democratic States Are To Exist In The Future. Part One: The Sources Of Modern Democracy. The First Transformation: To The Democratic City-state -- Toward The Second Transformation: Republicanism, Representation, And The Logic Of Equality -- -- Part Two: Adversarial Critics. Anarchism -- Guardianship -- A Critique Of Guardianship -- -- Part Three: A Theory Of The Democratic Process. Justifications: The Idea Of Equal Intrinsic Worth -- Personal Autonomy -- A Theory Of The Democratic Process -- The Problem Of Inclusion -- -- Part Four: Problems In The Democratic Process. Majority Rule And The Democratic Process -- Is There A Better Alternative? -- Process And Substance -- Process Versus Process -- When Is A People Entitled To The Democratic Process? -- -- Part Five: The Limits And Possibilities Of Democracy. The Second Democratic Transformation: From The City-state To The Nation-state -- Democracy, Polyarchy, And Participation -- How Polyarchy Developed In Some Countries And Not Others -- Why Polyarchy Developed In Some Countries And Not Others -- Is Minority Domination Inevitable? -- Pluralism, Polyarchy, And The Common Good -- The Common Good As Process And Substance -- -- Part Six: Toward A Third Transformation. Democracy In Tomorrow's World -- Sketches For An Advanced Democratic Country. Robert A. Dahl. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 375-384). Discusses the history and nature of democracy, defends it against alternative forms of government, and suggests how it must change in the future
