Democracy

This book makes the case for recasting current theories of democracy, democratization and de-democratization.

Charles Tilly (Author)

9780521701532, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 2 April 2007

248 pages, 13 tables
22.7 x 15.4 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

'Tilly presents the book as the 'culmination and synthesis' (p. xii) of his democratisation work and its final pages contain a provocative challenge to those in the democratisation business. … those interested in promoting democracy should focus on supporting the three process-based developments he identifies. Accessibly written, the volume will reward a broad readership.'' Political Studies Review

Democracy identifies the general processes causing democratization and de-democratization at a national level across the world over the last few hundred years. It singles out integration of trust networks into public politics, insulation of public politics from categorical inequality, and suppression of autonomous coercive power centres as crucial processes. Through analytic narratives and comparisons of multiple regimes, mostly since World War II, this book makes the case for recasting current theories of democracy, democratization and de-democratization.

1. What is democracy
2. Democracy in history
3. Democratization and de-democratization
4. Trust and distrust
5. Equality and inequality
6. Power and public politics
7. Alternative paths
8. Democracy's past and futures.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Political structure & processes [JPH], Comparative politics [JPB], Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA]