Name: The Politics of Participation: From Athens to E-Democracy
Author: Matt Qvortrup (Author)
ISBN: 9780719076589

The Politics of Participation: From Athens to E-Democracy book cover

The Politics of Participation: From Athens to E-Democracy

Author(s): Matt Qvortrup (Author)

Publisher: Manchester University Press
Publication Date: 1 Aug. 2007
Language: English
Print length: 200 pages
ISBN-10: 0719076587
ISBN-13: 9780719076589

Book Description

We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of ‘government by the people’, yet politicians and commentators are fond of decrying the ‘crisis of democracy’. How do these views square up?

This book provides the answer by surveying the philosophical history of democracy and its critics and by analysing empirical data about citizen participation in Britain and other developed democracies.

In addition to analysis of major political thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli and J.S. Mill, the book analyses how modern technology has influenced democracy.

Among the issues discussed in the book are why people vote and what determines their decisions, what prompts citizen involvement in riots and demonstrations, whether spin doctors and designer politics pose a threat to democracy and the influence of mass media on our political behaviour.

More than merely providing an overview, the book also presents original analyses of timely issues such as referendums and the consequences of postal voting.

An essential book for students of politics, history and media studies, this study puts the debate about democracy into perspective and offers a solid grounding for future discussions.

— .

Editorial Reviews

Review

Professor Qvortrup’s book will be a primer for all students and researchers of public participation. It provides philosophical insight as well as thorough empirical knowledge from a recognised expert in the field. Dr Gary Sussman, Director of Research and Program Development at the Hartog School of Government and Policy, Tel Aviv University ‘This book proves that citizens are not the fools that some politicians assume them to be but are able to make complex political decisions about important issues that affect their lives. A good and informative read.’ –Saira Khan, Chair of Our Say (www-our-say.org) and BBC presenter

From the Inside Flap

We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of government by the people , yet politicians and commentators are fond of decrying the crisis of democracy . How do these views square up?This book provides the answer by surveying the philosophical history of democracy and its critics and by analysing empirical data about citizen participation in Britain and other developed democracies. In addition to analysis of major political thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli and J.S. Mill, the book analyses how modern technology has influenced democracy.Among the issues discussed in the book are why people vote and what determines their decisions, what prompts citizen involvement in riots and demonstrations, whether spin doctors and designer politics pose a threat to democracy and the influence of mass media on our political behaviour.More than merely providing an overview, the book also presents original analyses of timely issues such as referendums and the consequences of postal voting.An essential book for students of politics, history and media studies, this study puts the debate about democracy into perspective and offers a solid grounding for future discussions.

From the Back Cover

In addition to analysis of major political thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli and J.S. Mill, the book analyses how modern technology has influenced democracy.

More than merely providing an overview, the book also presents original analyses of timely issues such as referendums and the consequences of postal voting.

An essential book for students of politics, history and media studies, this study puts the debate about democracy into perspective and offers a solid grounding for future discussions.

About the Author

Professor Matt Qvortrup is Chair of Politics at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and an adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of New South Wales, Sydney

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