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Table of Contents
Introduction: models of democracy
Precursors to modern democratic theory
Protective democracy
Developmental democracy
Pluralist democracy
Participatory democracy
The models compared
Suggestions for further reading
1. The first challenge : separation of powers
The founders' work
The Jeffersonian model
The separation of powers and democratic values
The parliamentary alternative
Meeting the challenge : bridge the separation of powers
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
2. The second challenge : the imperial judiciary
The least democratic branch
A brief history of judicial review
Two cases of judicial usurpation
Can judicial review be made consistent with democracy?
The judicialization of American politics as a challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : revitalize American democracy
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
3. The third challenge : radical individualism
Individualism in the American tradition
American "habits of the heart"
The flaws of libertarianism
Our pathological politics of rights and interests
The failed opportunity to build community after 9/11
Meeting the challenge : balance rights with responsibilities
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
4. The fourth challenge : citizen participation
Citizen participation and democratic theory
Citizen political participation
Signs of civic disengagement
The new citizen activism
Participation as a challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : more, not less, participation
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
5. The fifth challenge : trivialized elections
Equal representation
Deliberation
Control
Meeting the challenge : reform electoral institutions, promote democratic deliberation
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
6. The sixth challenge : the "privileged position" of business
American politics as pluralist heaven
Business : the "privileged" group
Why business privilege is a threat to democracy
Objections to the privileged-position-of-business thesis
Meeting the challenge : democratic action to reduce business privilege
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
7. The seventh challenge : inequality
Equality and democratic theory
The end of the American dream?
The persistence of racial inequality
Economic inequality's challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : policies to promote equality
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
8. The eighth challenge : the national security state
The burgeoning of the national security state
Secrecy
Centralization
Repression
Distortion
Meeting the challenge : reform to achieve true security
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites.
Precursors to modern democratic theory
Protective democracy
Developmental democracy
Pluralist democracy
Participatory democracy
The models compared
Suggestions for further reading
1. The first challenge : separation of powers
The founders' work
The Jeffersonian model
The separation of powers and democratic values
The parliamentary alternative
Meeting the challenge : bridge the separation of powers
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
2. The second challenge : the imperial judiciary
The least democratic branch
A brief history of judicial review
Two cases of judicial usurpation
Can judicial review be made consistent with democracy?
The judicialization of American politics as a challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : revitalize American democracy
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
3. The third challenge : radical individualism
Individualism in the American tradition
American "habits of the heart"
The flaws of libertarianism
Our pathological politics of rights and interests
The failed opportunity to build community after 9/11
Meeting the challenge : balance rights with responsibilities
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
4. The fourth challenge : citizen participation
Citizen participation and democratic theory
Citizen political participation
Signs of civic disengagement
The new citizen activism
Participation as a challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : more, not less, participation
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
5. The fifth challenge : trivialized elections
Equal representation
Deliberation
Control
Meeting the challenge : reform electoral institutions, promote democratic deliberation
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
6. The sixth challenge : the "privileged position" of business
American politics as pluralist heaven
Business : the "privileged" group
Why business privilege is a threat to democracy
Objections to the privileged-position-of-business thesis
Meeting the challenge : democratic action to reduce business privilege
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
7. The seventh challenge : inequality
Equality and democratic theory
The end of the American dream?
The persistence of racial inequality
Economic inequality's challenge to democracy
Meeting the challenge : policies to promote equality
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites
8. The eighth challenge : the national security state
The burgeoning of the national security state
Secrecy
Centralization
Repression
Distortion
Meeting the challenge : reform to achieve true security
Thought questions
Suggestions for further reading
Selected Web sites.