Democracy

Abstract

Normative democratic theory deals with the moral foundations ofdemocracy and democratic institutions, as well as the moral duties ofdemocratic representatives and citizens. It is distinct fromdescriptive and explanatory democratic theory, which aim to describeand explain how democracy and democratic institutions function.Normative democracy theory aims to provide an account of when and whydemocracy is morally desirable as well as moral principles for guidingthe design of democratic institutions and the actions of citizens andrepresentatives. Of course, normative democratic theory is inherentlyinterdisciplinary and must draw on the results of political science,sociology, psychology, and economics in order to give concrete moralguidance., This brief outline of normative democratic theory focuses attention onseven related issues. First, it proposes a definition of democracy.Second, it outlines different approaches to the question of whydemocracy is morally valuable at all. Third, itdiscusses the issue of whether and when democratic institutions haveauthority and different conceptions of the limits of democraticauthority. Fourth, it explores the questionof what it is reasonable to demand of citizens in large democraticsocieties. This issue is central to the evaluation of normativedemocratic theories. A large body of opinion has it that mostclassical normative democratic theory is incompatible with what we canreasonably expect from citizens. Fifth, it surveys different accountsof the proper characterization of equality in the processes ofrepresentation and the moral norms of representation. Sixth, it discussesthe relationship between central findings in social choice theory anddemocracy. Seventh, it discusses the question of who should be includedin the group that makes democratic decisions.