Democracy's Meanings: How the Public Understands Democracy and Why It Matters

Democracy is more than just voting or elected representation, as Americans have rich and substantive views about the material conditions that democracy should produce. These views draw from their beliefs about equality, fairness, and justice. The book "Democracy's Meanings" argues that Americans think about democracy in ways that go beyond voting or elected representation and construct a typology of views about democracy. Procedural views of democracy take a minimalistic quality, while social views of democracy incorporate both civil and economic equality. Complementing these two groups are moderate and indifferent views about democracy, with moderate views sitting somewhere in between procedural and social perspectives and indifferent views involving disaffection toward it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Democracy's Meanings presents a groundbreaking exploration of the complex and multifaceted concept of democracy, challenging prevailing notions about how the public perceives and assesses this vital political system. Drawing upon a wealth of political theory and over 75 years of comprehensive public opinion data, the book argues that Americans' understanding of democracy extends far beyond mere voting or elected representation. Instead, citizens hold rich and substantive perspectives on the material conditions that democracy should strive to achieve, rooted in their beliefs about equality, fairness, and justice.

To unravel the diverse range of views about democracy, the authors employ survey data collected over several years, meticulously constructing a comprehensive typology of these perspectives. Procedural views of democracy take a minimalist approach, emphasizing the importance of voting and fair treatment while largely neglecting ideas about equality beyond civil liberties. In contrast, social views of democracy encompass both civil and economic equality, with individuals holding the belief that democracy should fulfill the fundamental social and material needs of its citizens. Complementing these two groups are moderate and indifferent views about democracy. Moderate views occupy a middle ground between procedural and social perspectives, advocating for a balanced approach that combines democratic processes with efforts to promote social and economic equity. Indifferent views, on the other hand, involve a disaffection toward democracy, with a small group of citizens viewing it as an ambiguous and ill-defined concept.

This insightful book sheds light on the diverse ways in which Americans think about democracy, highlighting the importance of recognizing and understanding these diverse viewpoints in order to promote a more inclusive and democratic society. By delving into the nuances of public opinion and political theory, Democracy's Meanings provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape our understanding and evaluation of democracy, ultimately contributing to a more informed and engaged citizenry.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472133123