Democratic Legitimacy

Discusses the questions of value plurality, participation, rationality, and autonomy in relation to the debate over liberal communities and the procedural integrity and substantive accountability of politics. This book is intended for political scientists and philosophers, as well as specialists in democratic theory.

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Barnard argues that Western democracy, if it is to continue to exist as a legitimate political system, must maintain the integrity of its application of performative principles. Consequently, if both social and political democracy are legitimate goals, limitations designed to curb excessive political power may also be applicable in containing excessive economic power. Barnard stresses that whatever steps are taken to augment civic reciprocity, the observance and self-imposition of publicly recognized standards is vital. Democratic Legitimacy will appeal to political scientists and philosophers, as well as specialists in democratic theory.