Synopses & Reviews
This controversial new look at democracy in a multicultural society considers the ideals of political inclusion and exclusion, and recommends ways to engage in democratic politics in a more inclusive way. Processes of debate and decision making often marginalize individuals and groups because the norms of political discussion are biased against some forms of expression. Inclusion and Democracy broadens our understanding of democratic communication by reflecting on the positive political functions of narrative, rhetorically situated appeals, and public protest. It reconstructs concepts of civil society and public sphere as enacting such plural forms of communication among debating citizens in large-scale societies. Iris Marion Young thoroughly discusses class, race, and gender bias in democratic processes, and argues that the scope of a polity should extend as wide as the scope of social and economic interactions that raise issues of justice. Today this implies the need for global democratic institutions. Young also contends that due to processes of residential segregation and the design of municipal jurisdictions, metropolitan governments which preserve significant local autonomy may be necessary to promote political equality. This latest work from one of the world's leading political philosophers will appeal to audiences from a variety of fields, including philosophy, political science, women's studies, ethnic studies, sociology, and communications studies.
Review
"
Illusion and Democracy is one of the most recent and most evocative contributions to this movement in political thought. The book contributes to discussions in our field on two levels: for practitioners, it offers valuable descriptions of the broader contexts within which public debate operates; at the same time, it works on a theoretical level to expand the traditional scope of political models to incorporate explicitly rhetorical concerns. . Young grounds her discussions in clear definitions of key terms and careful accounts of competing views."-
JacAbout the Author
Iris Marion Young is Professor of Political Science at The University of Chicago. Her previous books include
Throwing Like a Girl and Other Essays in Feminist Philosophy and Social Theory,
Justice and the Politics of Difference,
Intersecting Voices: Dilemmas of Gender, Political Philosophy and Policy, and
A Companion to Feminist Philosophy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Democracy and Justice
Chapter 2: Inclusive Political Communication
Chapter 3: Social Difference as a Political Resource
Chapter 4: Representation and Social Perspective
Chapter 5: Civil Society and Its Limits
Chapter 6: Residential Segregation and Regional Democracy
Chapter 7: Self-Determination and Global Democracy