Democracy, Science and the Civic Spirit

Professor Ringen's introduction sets out the challenge to the democratic system of government from Eastern Europe, South Africa and other societies in transition, presenting the logic of applied social research. His next section analyzes the problem of democracy in terms of the double need to struggle over decisions and to comply with decisions. He concludes by underlining the importance of the vote, the importance of equality and citizen responsibility. The third section of Professor Ringen's lecture analyzes ways in which science can contribute to the democratic process, in particular by strengthening democracy on one of its basic assumptions, that of an informed citizenry. It concludes that social sciences should take responsibility and claim authority in the domain of information, but that they should claim no special authority in the domain of decisions. In his final section, Professor Ringen pulls the threads together by suggesting that well-organized society depends on a balance between assertiveness and restraint on self-interest on the part of citizens (and scientists), and in relation to "the spirit of the times", he underlines the element of restraint.
Finally, he pays homage to the tradition of social justice in Oxford academic life.