| Description |
Many people think they can recognize democracy when they see it and that democracy is uncontroversially good. Even if they are right, it is worth trying to give a theoretical account of what makes a practice, institution or state democratic; and to consider and evaluate arguments for and against democracy. So we will begin with a brisk survey of some traditional analyses and defenses of democracy and we will then spend the rest of our time (a) discussing a few more recent attempts to say what the core elements of democracy are and to defend it, and (b) evaluating some recent challenges to democratic ideals. |