LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND THE LIMITS OF DEMOCRATIZATION

In: Political studies, Band 40, S. 40-53

Abstract

LIBERALISM HAS PROVIDED BOTH A NECESSARY BASIS FOR MODERN DEMOCRACY AND ALSO A CONSTRAINT UPON IT. THIS DUALITY MAKES A DEMOCRATIC CRITIQUE OF LIBERALISM BOTH IMPERATIVE AND PROBLEMATICAL, IN SO FAR AS IT THREATENS THE CONDITIONS OF LIBERAL DEMOCRACY ITSELF. TWO OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE EXAMINED--THE INSTITUTION OF REPRESENTATION AND THE PRINCIPLE OF THE LIMITED STATE--TO DISCOVER WHAT LIMITS THEY MIGHT IMPOSE ON THE JUSTIFIABLE AMBITIONS OF DEMOCRATIZERS, TO EXTEND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE SOCIAL AGENDA FOR DEMOCRATIZATION ON THE OTHER.