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2. Motion in Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
- Author
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C'de Baca Eastman, Elizabeth
- Subjects
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LOCAL government , *POLITICAL science , *DEMOCRACY , *SOCIAL sciences - Abstract
The theme of motion is prominent throughout Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. In the chapter on the real advantages that American society derives from the government of democracy, Tocqueville makes the following observation: "When one passes from a free country into another that is not, one is struck by a very extraordinary spectacle: there, all is activity and movement; here, all seems calm and immobile." Whether the activity and movement-the motion-of the people be a confused clamor, a thousand voices, a gathering of neighbors, an assembling of citizens, Tocqueville identifies this activity as one of the great benefits of democratic government. "This agitation, constantly reborn, that the government of democracy has introduced into the political world, passes afterwards into civil society. I do not know if, all in all, that is not the greatest advantage of democratic government, and I praise it much more because of what it causes to be done than for what it does" (DA I.2.6). The success of a democracy rests in large part on the motion of the people. Their active participation in township government, political and civil associations, jury service, and commerce provides opportunities for the people to learn to govern themselves and participate in a meaningful way in the governing process. Yet this constant motion of the people also has disadvantages that have an impact on many facets of the lives of those living in a democracy. For example the continual movement of the people breaks or relaxes the bond with prior generations. The individualism that originates in democratic societies can also lead to selfishness. To reflect further on the topic of the challenge that the motion of the people in a democracy presents, I propose first to explain how motion is present in Democracy in America, discuss how the motion of the people makes a positive contribution to democracy, identify the challenges that accompany this agitation in society, consider the ensuing consequences if the motion of the people is threatened, and finally to explore what type of balance can be struck between motion and rest in a democratic society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. What Role for Democracy Promotion? US Reactions to Contemporary Political Developments in South America.
- Author
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Wolff, Jonas
- Subjects
- *
DEMOCRACY , *POLITICAL doctrines , *POLITICAL science , *SOCIAL sciences - Abstract
Criticizing US neglect of Latin America has become a popular exercise in US journals and newspapers. Indeed, when reviewing the recent political crises throughout the region as well as the ‘turn to the left’ that has taken place at least in South America, US actions and reactions may seem erratic or entirely ignorant. By analyzing the US role during recent political turbulences in South America, the paper takes issue with this attempt to explain US behavior by simply pointing towards some general stance of neglect. In contrast, it is argued that the complex processes of crisis, continuity and change in South America imply contradictory incentives and limits to a US government that frames its activities as guided by the democratic ideal and yet cannot renounce its specific national preferences in the name of democracy’s intrinsic value. The frame constituted by democratic rhetoric appears as, at the same time, constraining and enabling US policies towards South America: While the dual goal ‘democracy promotion and protection’ clearly constrains the range of justifiable (re-) actions, its normative indecisiveness opens important margins for the pursuit of particularistic prefer-ences. When taking into account the concrete settings in the different ‘target’ countries, US actions, reactions and inactions can be explained quite well without assuming some general inattention that proves overly simplifying. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
4. Endogenous Institutions: Veto Players and Political Stability in Presidential Regimes.
- Author
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Pérez-Liñán, Aníbal
- Subjects
- *
POLITICAL stability , *POLITICAL science , *SOCIAL sciences , *DEMOCRACY - Abstract
This article contends that regime instability in countries with presidential form of government is more likely under multiparty system, when institutional design is biased for one party and when partisan players are unilaterally impatient. It offers a model of endogenous institutional breakdown in presidential regimes. The model present empirical puzzles such as the historical survival of presidentialism in the U.S. and its breakdown in Latin America since the 1980s.
- Published
- 2005
5. A future's approach to enhanced television and governance.
- Author
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Waite, Brandon C.
- Subjects
TELEVISION & politics ,POLITICAL science ,DEMOCRACY ,SOCIAL sciences ,POLITICIANS ,UNITED States politics & government - Abstract
Abstract: Television has been a significant factor in American political life since the expansion of network news in the early 1960s. It serves as the primary means by which Americans get their political information. Likewise, it develops their sense of how politics and politicians operate in our democracy. This paper examines how enhanced television technologies might be applied to political programming, as well as the effects such changes might have on the future of participatory democracy. Following a series of conjectures regarding the future application of enhanced television technologies to politics, the potential benefits and drawbacks of interactive television on governance are discussed. Using the social shaping approach to technology foresight, it is demonstrated that forecasts of technology and governance are ultimately dependent upon the normative assumptions of the investigator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Pluralism and the Fate of Perestroika: A Historical Reflection.
- Author
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Gunnell, John
- Subjects
PLURALISM ,PERESTROIKA ,POLITICAL science ,DEMOCRATIZATION ,DEMOCRACY ,LIBERALISM ,SOCIAL sciences - Abstract
Although a great deal has been written about the perestroika movement in turn-of-the century political science its actual place in the history of the discipline has been poorly understood by its founders, defenders, and critics. Perestroika can be best understood as a manifestation of the persistent crises of identity that have characterized the discipline of political science, and it cannot be explained apart from the manner in which it was reflection of issues that attended both the origins of the field and periods such as the 1920s and aftermath of the behavioral era. What has been particularly important in each case has been the impact on both American politics and political science of the ethic of pluralism, which has created significant difficulties for both the practical and epistemic relationship between the discipline and its subject matter. — John Gunnell.This essay is followed by responses from James Farr, Robert O. Keohane, David D. Laitin, Kristen Renwick Monroe, Anne Norton, and Sanford F. Schram. John Gunnell then offers a response to commentators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Campaign Advertising and Democratic Citizenship.
- Author
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Freedman, Paul, Franz, michael, and Goldstein, Kenneth
- Subjects
POLITICAL advertising ,POLITICAL participation ,POLITICAL campaigns ,PRESS & politics ,DEMOCRACY ,POLITICAL science ,SOCIAL sciences - Abstract
Concern about the state of American democracy is a staple of political science and popular commentary. Critics warn that levels of citizen participation and political knowledge are disturbingly low and that seemingly ubiquitous political advertising is contributing to the problem. We argue that political advertising is rife with both informational and emotional content and actually contributes to a more informed, more engaged, and more participatory citizenry. With detailed advertising data from the 2000 election, we show that exposure to campaign advertising produces citizens who are more interested in the election, have more to say about the candidates, are more familiar with who is running, and ultimately are more likely to vote. Importantly, these effects are concentrated among those citizens who need it most: those with the lowest pre-existing levels of political information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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