Agonistic Democracy: Constituent Power in the Era of Globalisation - Hardcover

Wenman, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107003725 ISBN 13: 9781107003729

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

Synopsis

This pioneering book delivers a systematic account of agonistic democracy, and a much-needed analysis of the core components of agonism: pluralism, tragedy, and the value of conflict. It also traces the history of these ideas, identifying the connections with republicanism and with Greek antiquity. Mark Wenman presents a critical appraisal of the leading contemporary proponents of agonism and, in a series of well-crafted and comprehensive discussions, brings these thinkers into debate with one another, as well as with the post-structuralist and continental theorists who influence them. Wenman draws extensively on Hannah Arendt, and stresses the creative power of human action as augmentation and revolution. He also reworks Arendt's discussion of reflective judgement to present an alternative style of agonism, one where the democratic contest is linked to the emergence of a militant form of cosmopolitanism, and to prospects for historical change in the context of neoliberal globalisation.

About this title

Review:

'The first comprehensive and critical survey of the whole field of agonistic democracy. It is an excellent introduction to this new field and makes an original contribution to it.' James Tully, Distinguished Professor, University of Victoria

'Mark Wenman wonderfully illustrates the analytical power of the concept of agonistic democracy at the same time as he subjects it to revision by bringing it to bear on the most serious challenges to liberal democratic society since the end of the Cold War. In the course of his discussion we come to deeply appreciate the value of agonism and the creative work of contemporary political theorists who have thought most deeply about agonistic politics, among whom Wenman must now be included.' Morton Schoolman, State University of New York, Albany

'... [this] book offers new insights ... thoughtful, systematic, and important ...' Robert W. Glover, European Political Science

Book Description:

Agonistic Democracy presents a pioneering overview of this important strand of contemporary democratic theory. Wenman delivers a comprehensive account of the core components and the historical background of agonism, and evaluates the contributions of the leading proponents. This book offers much-needed fresh ideas about revitalising democracy in response to globalisation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1107003725
• ISBN 13: 9781107003729
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 348