The Meaning of Democracy and the Vulnerability of Democracies: A Response to Tocqueville's Challenge Unknown - 1997
by Ostrom, Vincent
From the publisher
We struggle in the modern age to preserve individual freedoms and social self-government in the face of large and powerful governments that lay claim to the symbols and language of democracy, according to Vincent Ostrom.Arguing that democratic systems are characterized by self-governing -- not state-governed -- societies, Ostrom contends that the nature and strength of individual relationships and self-organizing behavior are critical to the creation and survival of a democratic political system. Ostrom begins with a basic contradiction identified by Alexis de Tocqueville. De Tocqueville suggested that if citizens acted on the basis of their natural inclinations they would expect government to provide for them and take care of their needs. Yet these conditions contradict what it means to be self-governing. Ostrom explores the social and cultural context necessary for a democratic system to flourish emphasizing the important role of ideas and the use of language in defining and understanding political life. Discussing differences in the ideas about social organization among various cultural and intellectual traditions, he considers the difficulties encountered over time in building democratic societies in America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. He outlines lessons from these experiences for the efforts to build democracy in the developing world and the countries emerging from communism.Based on a lifetime of thinking about the social conditions necessary to support a democracy, this book makes a significant contribution to the recent discussion about civil society and the fragility of our formal and informal social institutions and will be of interest to social scientists, historiansand all readers concerned with the state of democracy in the modern world..
Details
- Title The Meaning of Democracy and the Vulnerability of Democracies: A Response to Tocqueville's Challenge
- Author Ostrom, Vincent
- Binding unknown
- Edition First Edition
- Publisher University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Date 1997
- ISBN 9780472107971
Remote Content Loading...
Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.
Book Conditions Explained
Biblio’s Book Conditions
-
As NewThe book is pristine and free of any defects, in the same condition as when it was first newly published.
-
Fine (F)A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the crispness of an uncirculated, unopened volume.
-
Near Fine (NrFine or NF)Almost perfect, but not quite fine. Any defect outside of shelf-wear should be noted.
-
Very Good (VG)A used book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Very good items should not have writing or highlighting.
-
Good (G or Gd.)The average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. ‘Good’ items often include writing and highlighting and may be ex-library. Any defects should be noted. The oft-repeated aphorism in the book collecting world is “good isn’t very good.”
-
FairIt is best to assume that a “fair” book is in rough shape but still readable.
-
Poor (P)A book with significant wear and faults. A poor condition book can still make a good reading copy but is generally not collectible unless the item is very scarce. Any missing pages must be specifically noted.
