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  1. Home
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  3. The People's Government
  • Cited by 4
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
August 2014
Print publication year:
2014
Online ISBN:
9781107358218
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107358218
Subjects:
Political Theory, Area Studies, American Studies, American Government, Politics and Policy, Politics and International Relations
Information

Book description

The People's Government is premised on the idea that democracy is based on two fundamental rights: freedom and liberty. Liberty is the right to be left alone, while freedom is the right to participate in a political community. How people view democracy depends on which of these two rights they think is more important. Liberal democrats place a higher value on liberty, while free democrats see freedom as the primary right. From this starting point, the author adds five dimensions to define and distinguish democratic societies: rights, participation and representation, inclusion, equality, and power. Liberal democracies emphasize individualism, negative rights, representative government, inclusive citizenship, equal opportunity, and limited government. Free democracies stress community, positive rights, direct participation, exclusive citizenship, equal outcomes, and robust government. The book examines the most important arguments for and against democracy, and explores the life cycle of democracies - how countries democratize, mature, and fail. Finally, the author uses the five dimensions established earlier to evaluate and grade American democracy.

Reviews

'An engaging and provocative analysis of freedom, liberty, rights, and democracy, The People’s Government will find a wide audience across a range of disciplines - from history and law to philosophy and political theory.'

David M. O’Brien - Leone Reaves and George W. Spicer Professor, University of Virginia

'In The People’s Government, Del Dickson advances a new and imaginative way to think about democracy. By explaining and clarifying the differences between freedom and liberty, Dickson teaches us that the type of democracy people prefer depends on the relative emphasis placed on one of these rights. In doing so, The People’s Government dissipates some of the conceptual fog surrounding political science’s many understandings of democracy, while leaving the reader with a deeper and stronger sense of the real stakes involved in this increasingly popular form of government.'

Efrén O. Pérez - Vanderbilt University

'The People’s Government eloquently frames democratic founding and its two most cherished principles: freedom and liberty. Dr Dickson effectively uses political theory, constitutional law, and public policy to stage the discussion. The People’s Government is an important text for anyone wanting to study the rise and fall of democratic states.'

Barbara Jean Morris - Fort Lewis College

'Freedom, liberty, and democracy are terms that are much bandied about in today’s heated political discussions. Professor Dickson’s new book will help readers progress from just being opinionated to being informed. The People’s Government defines the terms, presents the sides, and allows the reader to examine the arguments in a non-threatening and balanced environment. It is a pleasure to read such a thoughtful, well-written book.'

Nancy Cade - Chair of Social Science, University of Pikesville

'A full understanding of what democracy is and how it works begins with this book. Part political theory and part comparative politics, it is both an introduction to political science and a handbook for democratic tinkerers. Del Dickson’s The People’s Government adds richness to our understanding of democracy in all its iterations - from the halls of the US Capitol to the public square in Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland.'

Dennis Plane - Juniata College

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Contents

Contents
References
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