Suchergebnisse

A review essay on books by (1) Paul Hirst, Associative Democracy: New Forms of Economic and Social Governance (Cambridge, MA: Polity, 1994); (2) Chantal Mouffe (Ed), Dimensions of Radical Democracy: Pluralism, Citizenship, Community (London: Verso, 1992); & (3) Geoff Mulgan, Politics in an Antipolitical Age (Cambridge, MA: Polity, 1994). These texts address the "undemocratic" nature of Western democratic systems & how the Left & Right have responded to the need to reconceptualize democracy. Hirst's assertion that Western parliamentary states are as flawed as Eastern collective states & support for the creation of the "associationalist" state are discussed. Mouffe's volume calls for the radicalization of modern democracy. Although these conceptual alternatives for future democratic practice are welcomed, it is asserted that the application & implementation of these approaches remains problematic, eg, the realization of Mouffe's call for cultural & personal pluralism. Mulgan's contention that the Left must replace its utopian perspective with a concern for individual & collective responsibility is reviewed. His position is criticized for not considering the institutional & constitutional prerequisites of implementing "cosmopolitan democracy." It is asserted that US political science & sociology can assist in sustaining democracy; Robert Putnam's (1993) study of Italian regional politics is applauded for scrutinizing the cultural & historical traditions of Italy's southern & northern regions & how they affected democratic practices. J. W. Parker

The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture; Vol. 1: The Rise of the Network Society; Vol. 2: The Power of Identity; Vol. 3: End of Millennium by Manuel Castells is reviewed.

The cultural, political, social, & ideological significance of the 1989 revolutions in East-Central Europe is discussed in reference to the French, English, & American revolutions, which signified the beginning of modernity. Although the applicability of the term revolution to the events of 1989 has been questioned, it is argued that the speed of political, economic, & social change experienced in East-Central Europe during this time was revolutionary. Perhaps even more than previous revolutions, the events of 1989 were understood as part of & related to the international context. While some depicted these revolutions as the erosion of the final alternative to liberal capitalism, others have claimed that 1989 revitalized the concept & viability of political & social revolution. Although these revolutions can be seen as a product of the modern drive toward global capital & democracy, it is suggested that the rationality & technocracy of Soviet-type societies were highly representative of the modernist project. Therefore, these revolutions may signify a revolt against the reason & objectivity of modernity in favor of the subjective empowerment of the postmodern era. It is concluded that the long-term implications & significance of these revolutions are as yet unknown. T. Sevier