The Life and Times of Liberal Democracy

by C. B. Macpherson, Frank Cunningham (Introduction)

Overview

In this brief but powerful book, acclaimed political philosopher C.B. Macpherson sets out in bold relief the essence of liberal democracy, both as it is currently conceived and as it might be reimagined. Macpherson argues that from its beginnings liberal democracy has accepted the underpinning principle of capitalist societies, that the "market maketh man." If that remains the central assumption of liberal democracy, Macpherson declares, then as an organizing framework for society, liberal democracy has reached the end of its useful life. But if a broader concept of liberal democracy is accepted-"if [Macpherson writes] liberal democracy is taken to mean a society striving to ensure that all its members are equally free to realize their capabilities"-the great days of liberal democracy may yet lie ahead. The Wynford edition includes a new Introduction by Frank Cunningham of the University of Toronto.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195447804
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/15/2011
Series:	Wynford Project
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

C.B. Macpherson (1911-1987) was professor of political science at the University of Toronto. Widely regarded as Canada's pre-eminent political theorist of the twentieth century, he was the author of numerous books, including Democratic Theory: Essays in Retrieval and The Real World of Democracy, and was named to the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honour.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Wynford EditionbI. Models and Precursors/bbI. Models and Precursors/bThe Nature of the InquiryThe Nature of the InquiryThe Use of Models(i) Why Models?(ii) Why Historically Successive Models?(iii) Why These Models?Precursors of Liberal Democracy(i) Democracy and Class(ii) Pre-nineteenth Century Theories as PrecursorsbII. Model 1: Protective Democracy/bThe Break in the Democratic TraditionThe Utilitarian BaseBentham's Ends of LegislationThe Political RequirementJames Mill's SeesawProtective Democracy for Market ManbIII. Model 2: Developmental Democracy/bThe Emergence of Model 2Model 2A: J.S. Mill's Developmental DemocracyThe Taming of the Democratic FranchiseModel 2B: Twentieth-Century Developmental DemocracybIV. Model 3: Equilibrium Democracy/bThe Entrepreneurial Market AnalogyThe Adequacy of Model 3(i) Descriptive Adequacy(ii) Explanatory Adequacy(iii) Justificatory AdequacyThe Faltering of Model 3bV. Model 4: Participatory Democracy/bThe Rise of the IdeaIs More Participation Now Possible?(i) The Problem of Size(ii) A Vicious Circle and Possible LoopholesModels of Participatory Democracy(i) Model 4A: An Abstract First Approximation(ii) Model 4B: A Second ApproximationParticipatory Democracy as Liberal DemocracyFurther ReadingIndex