Discursive Democracy: Politics, Policy, and Political Science

Dryzek

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521478278 ISBN 13: 9780521478274

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

In this book, John Dryzek criticizes the dominance of instrumental rationality and objectivism in political institutions and public policy and in the practice of political science. He argues that the reliance on these kinds of politics and to technocracies of expert cultures that are not only repressive, but surprisingly ill-equipped for dealing with complex social problems. Drawing on critical theory, he outlines an alternative program for the organization of political institutions advocating a form of communicatively rational democracy, which he terms discursive democracy, that stresses the importance of active citizenship and public discourse. He draws out the limitations of instrumental rationality and investigates how policy analysis and political science may be reformed to help constitute and comprehend democracy. Discursive Democracy examines how the political process can be made more vital and meaningful. At the same time it shows how such an invigorated process will serve as a more effective agent for social problem solving.

Review:

"In just more than 220 pages of text, John Dryzek has effectively and provocatively addressed a remarkable number of problems important to the discipline of political science and to United States and international political practice....In a discipline long on description and critique and short on remedies, Dryzek's book is a refreshing change. He combines abstract conceptual and philosophical diagnosis with specific curative recommendations." Journal of Politics

Book Description:

Dryzek criticizes the dominance of instrumental rationality and objectivism in political institutions and public policy and in the practice of political science. He argues that the reliance on these kinds of politics and to technocracies of expert cultures that are not only repressive, but surprisingly ill-equipped for dealing with complex social problems.