Discursive Democracy: Politics, Policy, and Political Science

Description

John Dryzek criticizes in this book the dominance of instrumental rationality and objectivism in political institutions, public policy and the practice of political science. He argues that the reliance on instrumental rationality has led to the excessive bureaucratization of government and to technocracies of expert cultures that are ill-equipped for dealing with complex social problems. Drawing on critical theory, he outlines an alternative program for the organization of political institutions, advocating a form of participatory democracy, which he terms discursive democracy, that stresses the importance of active citizenship and public discourse.

"...John Dryzek has effectively and provocatively addressed a remarkable number of problems important to the discipline of political science and to United States and international political practice...In a discipline long on description and critique and short on remedies, Dryzek's book is a refreshing change. He combines abstract conceptual and philosophical diagnosis with specific curative recommendations." Journal of Politics "Dryzek has mastered a truly impressive range of literature, and he successfully blends an analysis of current theoretical and methodological issues with an examination of how those issues might inform the practices of a wide variety of political actors." Policy Currents "In just more than 220 pages of text, John Dryzek has effectively and provocatively addressed a remarkable number of problems important to the discipline of political science and to United States and international political practice...In a discipline long on description and critique and short on remedies, Dryzek's book is a refreshing change. He combines abstract conceptual and philosophical diagnosis with specific curative recommendations." Journal of Politics