Inclusion and Democracy

by Iris Marion Young

Democratic equality entails a principle that everyone whose basic interests are affected by policies should be included in the process of making them. Yet individuals and groups often claim that decision making processes are dominated by only some of the interests and perspectives in the society. What are the ideals of inclusion through which such criticisms should be made, and which might guide more inclusive political practice? This book considers that questionfrom the point of view of norms of democratic communication, processes of representation and association, and how wide the scope of political jurisdictions should be.Democratic theorists have not sufficiently attended to the ways processes of debate and decision making often marginalize individuals and groups because the norms of political discussion are biased against some forms of expression. Inclusion and Democracy broadens our understanding of democratic communication by reflecting on the positive political functions of narrative, rhetorically situated appeals, and public protest. It reconstructs concepts of civil society and public sphere asenacting such plural forms of communication among debating citizens in large-scale societies.The book considers issues of the scope of the polity at two global and local. The scope of a polity should extend as wide as the scope of social and economic interactions that raise issues of justice. Today this implies the need for global democratic institutions. At a more local level, processes of residential segregation and the design of municipal jurisdictions often result in the ability for actions in one locale to affect those in other locales without those making thedecisions having to include some of those affected in the decision making process. Metropolitan governments which preserve significant local autonomy may therefore be necessary to promote political equality.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Political Science, Nonfiction, Feminism, Gender, Theory

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2000

About the author

Iris Marion Young was an American political theorist and feminist focused on the nature of justice and social difference. She served as Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and was affiliated with the Center for Gender Studies and the Human Rights program there.

Reviews

[Frizzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleibt teilweise etwas vage und ein paar Kapitel fallen ein bisschen ab, aber besser und überzeugender als vieles andere zu dem Thema.

[Carissa Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting theory on democracy in the United States.

[Isabella]

yuck

[John C. Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly informative!

[Adrian Fanaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with a presentation of deliberative democracy versus aggregative democracy. Then a description of rethoric is made, as essential part of the communication required in democracies. The author follows with notes on the politics of difference, not to be confused with identity politics. Politics of difference is about different social strata competing for power, for resources, and ideas or policies. These different groups have different perspectives on the same issues, and find harder to see the things from a different perspective than theirs, though not impossible. Representation is then covered with the author claiming that despite its critics, representation is still the only possible way in democracies. Next, the author talks about civil society and associative democracy, which can be centralized, but also decentralized, as envisioned by Paul Hirst. An associative democracy would be the organization of society in associations, with the state being slowly transfered towards these associations, which have a closer understanding of the situation of their constituting people. People would voluntarily join these associations, and these associations would be sponsored by taxes, as is the state now.

[Cecilia Pang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young has literally changed my life. Gives me the “purpose” as to why the work I’m doing matters.

Thank you for your clarity and power of work.