Democracy and Disenfranchisement

Rezensionen / Stimmen

The book is well written and accessible. The relevant topic and the approach to the topic mean that the book is of interest and comprehensible not just to philosophers and political scientists, but also to individuals with less background knowledge of the theme of suffrage. ... LA (3)pez-Gurra argues his case passionately; his arguments are balanced. * Madeleine Pitkin, Intergenerational Justice Review * Claudio Lopez-Guerra?s Democracy and Disenfranchisement is a fascinating book that challenges most people?s basic assumptions about who ought to have the right to vote ... breath of fresh air. * Jason Brennan, Georgetown University * In this provocative book, Claudio Lopez-Guerra argues that many of our conventional beliefs about the franchise are entirely backward. ... As is evident, this is an ambitious book and there is much of interest ... Even if some or all of [Lopez-Guerra's arguments] are flawed, they are instructive insofar as they require us to reconsider the value of the franchise and the reasons for which it should be bestowed. * Ben Saunders in Political Theory * [T]he more attractive element of the book is the simplicity with which the author carries out a critical but systematic reading of all aspects of the universal suffrage principle by presenting interesting and thought-provoking ideas. This book should be considered both by those interested generally in the political philosophy of elections and those interested in reading a thoughtful and critical analysis of the many categories of exclusion/inclusion that configure the rules of the franchise. * Pablo Marshall, Contemporary Political Theory * The discussion of these subjects is well done . . . the chapter on felon disenfranchisement I recommend as especially cogent and thorough . . . [Universal suffrage] is not to be replaced with other means of political participation and not to be traded for the promise of better electoral results. This seems like a hard intuition to dislodge - and most of Lopez-Guerra's book works for rather than against it. But it is to Lopez-Guerra's credit that parts of his tightly argued book (a welcome addition to the regrettably slim library on the subject) may move us to cling to this notion a little less firmly. * Chad Flanders, Saint Louis University School of Law * In Democracy and Disenfranchisement, Claudio Lopez-Guerra challenges our conventional understanding of the vote as a fundamental right, and poses crucial questions about the scope of the franchise. Should expatriates or non-citizen residents have the right to vote? Should felons? Should children? Through rigorous analysis of the logic of institutional design, Lopez-Guerra presses us to reconsider our views on some of the most important moral and political issues of our time. The book is a deeply impressive contribution to democratic theory. * Melissa Schwartzberg, New York University * Lopez-Guerra analyzes the moral foundations of the right to vote with rigor and ingenuity. By shifting the focus to reasons for denying the right, he casts new light on reasons for granting it. Against the grain, he argues that the right is not fundamental and may be denied to some who now enjoy it. But he also shows why it should be granted to many who are now disenfranchised. Democracy and Disenfranchisement will challenge anyone who would think seriously about who should have the right to vote. * Dennis F. Thompson, Harvard University *