A Preface to Democratic Theory“A Preface to Democratic Theory is well worth the devoted attention of anyone who cares about democracy.” —Political Science Quarterly This book by Robert Dahl helped launch democratic theory sixty years ago as a new area of study in political science, and it remains the standard introduction to the field. Exploring problems that had been left unsolved by traditional thought on democracy, Dahl here examines two influential models—the Madisonian, which represents prevailing American doctrine, and its recurring challenger, populist theory—arguing that they do not accurately portray how modern democracies operate. He then constructs a model more consistent with how contemporary democracies actually function, and, in doing so, develops some original views of popular sovereignty and the American constitutional system. For this edition, Dahl has written an extensive new afterword that reevaluates Madisonian theory in light of recent research. And in a new foreword, he reflects back on his influential volume and the ways his views have evolved since he wrote it. For any student or scholar of political science, this new material is an essential update on a gold standard in the evolving field of democratic theory. |
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1952 Presidential Election alternative amendment American political argument assume basic behavior benefits candidate cent chapter child labor conflict consensus Convention defined definition democratic theory difierent disagreement election electorate empirical equal representation equality and popular ethical exist extent external checks faction favor Federalist Federalist Papers find first choice goals governmental decisions Hence Hypothesis individuals influence interelection interests judicial review leaders legislative legislature Madison Madisonian system majority rule majority tyranny maximize mean ment minority veto natural rights necessary non-tyrannical norms number of citizens observe oligarchy operation organization outcome parliamentary system party political activity political equality political science political system polyarchy popular sovereignty populistic democracy possible presidential presidential system principle probably problem Procedural Democracy proposition question real world representative democracy republic republican require seems Senate sensate intensity separation of powers significant society sovereignty and political specific Supreme Court tion tive United voters