Mending Democracy: Democratic Repair in Disconnected Times

The book explores how democratic mending can strengthen and renew democracies by empowering and transformative modes of political engagement, undertaking systemic repair work, and strengthening the integrity of the democratic fabric.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 208 pages
\n Publication date: 20 October 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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The fabric of democracy is threadbare in many contemporary societies, with connections that are vital to the functioning and integrity of our democratic systems wearing thin. Citizens are increasingly disconnected from their elected representatives, from one another in the public sphere, and from complex processes of public policy. In such disconnected times, how can we strengthen and renew our democracies?

This book develops the idea of democratic mending as a way of advancing a more connective approach to democratic reform. It is informed by three rich empirical cases of connectivity in practice, as well as cutting-edge debates in deliberative democracy. The empirical cases uncover empowering and transformative modes of political engagement that are vital for democratic renewal. The diverse actors in this book are not withdrawing, resisting, or seeking autonomy from conventional institutions of representative democracy but actively experimenting with ways to improve and engage with them. Through their everyday practices of democratic mending, they undertake crucial systemic repair work and strengthen the integrity of our democratic fabric in ways that are yet to be fully acknowledged by scholars and practitioners of democratic reform.

The first empirical case study explores the role of community organizing in promoting democratic participation and engagement in a marginalized urban community. The organizers worked to build trust and relationships between residents and local institutions, and to create spaces for dialogue and deliberation. Through their efforts, they were able to mobilize residents to participate in local elections, advocate for policy changes, and build community-based organizations.

The second empirical case study examines the role of social media in facilitating political participation and engagement among young people. The study found that social media platforms provided a space for young people to express their opinions, connect with others who shared their values, and organize for social change. However, the study also highlighted the challenges of social media, such as the spread of misinformation and the potential for social media to exacerbate divisions and tensions within society.

The third empirical case study explores the role of citizen science in promoting democratic participation and engagement among scientists and researchers. The study found that citizen science projects provided a space for researchers to engage with the public and to involve citizens in scientific research. Through their efforts, citizens were able to gain a deeper understanding of scientific issues, participate in decision-making processes, and contribute to scientific knowledge.

The book also discusses cutting-edge debates in deliberative democracy, such as the role of public deliberation in promoting democratic legitimacy and the importance of diversity and inclusion in democratic processes. The book argues that democratic mending is not just about repairing individual relationships or institutions but about creating a more connected and inclusive democratic society.

The diverse actors in this book are not withdrawing, resisting, or seeking autonomy from conventional institutions of representative democracy but actively experimenting with ways to improve and engage with them. Through their everyday practices of democratic mending, they undertake crucial systemic repair work and strengthen the integrity of our democratic fabric in ways that are yet to be fully acknowledged by scholars and practitioners of democratic reform.

In conclusion, the fabric of democracy is threadbare in many contemporary societies, with connections that are vital to the functioning and integrity of our democratic systems wearing thin. This book develops the idea of democratic mending as a way of advancing a more connective approach to democratic reform. Through three rich empirical cases of connectivity in practice, as well as cutting-edge debates in deliberative democracy, the book uncovers empowering and transformative modes of political engagement that are vital for democratic renewal. The diverse actors in this book are not withdrawing, resisting, or seeking autonomy from conventional institutions of representative democracy but actively experimenting with ways to improve and engage with them. Through their everyday practices of democratic mending, they undertake crucial systemic repair work and strengthen the integrity of our democratic fabric in ways that are yet to be fully acknowledged by scholars and practitioners of democratic reform.

\n Weight: 436g\n
Dimension: 161 x 249 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198843054\n \n