Democratic Accountability

Why Choice in Politics Is Both Possible and Necessary

Inbunden, Engelska, 2007

651 kr

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Beskrivning

It is common for political leaders to claim they have no control over bad outcomes. Indeed, they often cite the arguments of political theorists and public intellectuals as to why: history rushes onward oblivious of human will; force and violence overcome political aims; globalization undermines the actions of national leaders; the bureaucracy sabotages their intentions; bad outcomes are often the unintended result of actions. In Democratic Accountability, Leif Lewin examines these reasons and argues that they are unconvincing. He makes his case by describing and analyzing counterexamples in seven cases, including the prevention of a communist takeover in Europe after World War II, the European Union's preventing another European war, and Margaret Thatcher's taming of the bureaucracy in Britain. In a staunch defense of the possibility for meaningful and profound democratic decision making, Lewin finds that, in fact, not only do political leaders exert a good measure of control and therefore can be assigned responsibility, but the meaning of the functioning democracy is that the people hold their leaders accountable.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2007-03-01
Mått:156 x 235 x 25 mm
Vikt:538 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:264
Förlag:Harvard University Press
ISBN:9780674024755
Utmärkelser:Nominated for Best Book Award in Comparative Democratization 2008

Utforska kategorier

Politik och statsskick inom Samhälle och politik

Mer om författaren

Leif Lewin is Johan Skytte Professor of Eloquence and Government, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Recensioner i media

This is a powerful book about the relationship between citizens and leaders in a democracy. The former and the latter are linked by accountability, the concept that Lewin places at the heart of his analysis. The analysis is clear, the case studies illustrating the analysis are compelling. This work will occupy an important place on the bookshelf of democratic politics.

Innehållsförteckning

1. Introduction: The Politics of Blame Avoidance * Accountability as a Democratic Value * Politics as Rational Action * Critical Cases as Counter-Examples 2. History Is Not Predetermined * The End of History * The Politics of Containment * Accountability and Counterfactual Analysis 3. Nation-States Need Not Go to War * The War of All against All * L'Europe des Patries * Accountability and Legitimacy 4. Globalization Has Not Wiped Out the Freedom to Choose * The Globalization Trap * Agenda 21 * Accountability and the Market 5. Power-Sharing Does Not Exclude Responsibility * Power-Sharing * Mani Pulite * Accountability and the Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility 6. Implementation May Well Be Immaculate * The Theory of Budget-Maximization * The Politics of Retrenchment * Accountability and Bureaucracy 7. Consequences May Well Be as Intended * Unintended Consequences * The Gent System * Accountability and Expertise 8. Action Can Be Meaningful Even if Irrational * The Logic of Rational Action: The Roots * The Logic of Appropriateness: Gotterdammerung * Accountability and History 9. Conclusion: The Necessity of Choice * Choice Is Possible * Choice Is Mandatory * Notes * Bibliography * Acknowledgments * Index

Häftad

168 kr