Deliberative Democracy

Cambridge Studies in the Theory of Democracy

by Jon Elster (Editor)

It is sometimes assumed that voting is the central mechanism for political decision making. The contributors to this volume focus on an alternative mechanism, which is decision by discussion or deliberation. This volume is characterized by a realistic approach to the issue of deliberative democracy. Rather than assuming that deliberative democracy is always ideal, the authors critically probe its limits and weaknesses as well as its strengths.

Genres: Philosophy, Research, Politics

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Jon Elster ، born 22 February 1940, Oslo) is a Norwegian social and political theorist who has authored works in the philosophy of social science and rational choice theory. He is also a notable proponent of analytical Marxism, and a critic of neoclassical economics and public choice theory, largely on behavioral and psychological grounds.

In 2016, he was awarded the 22nd Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science for his contributions to political science.

Reviews

[Sergei Moska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quality of the essays varies. Some are critical, some are fun, some are tedious. Not many feel like essential reading. Not nearly as good as the Deliberative Democracy anthology edited by Rheg