Reforming Democracies

Reviews / Votes

An important contribution to the study of democracy, Reforming Democracies is sure to appeal to social scientists, policy makers, and activists alike. Douglas A. Chalmer's style is engaging and immanently readable. -- Mark B. Brown, California State University, Sacramento In Reforming Democracies, Douglas A. Chalmers offers a thoughtful and challenging critique of the basic concepts informing our understanding of 'liberal democracy.' He begins with questions about the interests that should be represented, including those of not only citizens but also 'quasi-citizens' who play a critical role in the functioning of the polity. He challenges us to move beyond the conventional analysis of party and interest-group linkages between the people and decision makers and to take into account dynamic and informal relationships outside of these traditional channels. Finally, he urges us to look more directly at decision-making as a deliberative as well as a bargaining process. Underlying all of these challenges is an affirmation that 'democracy' should be conceived not only in terms of procedural norms but also in terms of its capacity to govern in the public interest. In this book, Chalmers builds on decades of teaching and writing as a political scientist, yet with its strong normative perspective, it is a work of political philosophy, too. Not everyone will agree with its conclusions, but it is very important to take them into account. -- Robert Kaufman, Rutgers University After you read this book, I will bet you will add the terms 'quasi-citizens' and 'decision networks' to your vocabulary. Douglas A. Chalmers takes us to neglected places in the democratic decision-making process and argues that we need new institutions to regulate these places, to facilitate action, benefit the people, and adapt continually through linkages that convey information and accountability. These are new ideas that will shake you up and make you think. -- Jane Mansbridge, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Well written and thoughtful, this book should provoke conversations among those seeking changes to an imperfect system. Publishers Weekly The rub of conventional writing against novel ideas produces enough friction for some intellectual fire. Kirkus Reviews Reforming Democracies has much to ponder about the modern feel of the political landscape, highly recommended. The Midwest Book Review A well-written and well-organized call for more capacious thinking about the realities of democratic representation in the modern polity. -- Ethan J. Leib Perspectives on Politics [Reforming Democracies] has an elegant, personal and stimulating style, which makes it a very enjoyable read. Survival: Global Politics and Strategy Exceptionally well written, organized and presented... Reforming Democracies is especially commended to the attention of the non-specialist general reader with an interest in political science and democratic processes. Midwest Book Review