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Single Idea 23371

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy ]

Full Idea

Modern discussion has shifted from 'vote-centric' (or 'aggregative') to 'talk-centric' democracy. The vote-centric model has no mechanism for developing a consensus, or shaping public opinion, or even formulating an honourable compromise.

Gist of Idea

Modern democratic theory focuses on talk, not votes, because we need consensus or compromise

Source

Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn) [2002], 7)

Book Ref

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)' [OUP 2002], p.290

A Reaction

I'm struck by the fact that a person's preferences betweent these two is a reflection of character, or basic attitudes to morality. Some people think democratically about their relationships, and others very obviously don't.

The 22 ideas from 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn)'

23369 Some liberals thinks checks and balances are enough, without virtuous citizens [Kymlicka]
23370 Good citizens need civic virtues of loyalty, independence, diligence, respect, etc. [Kymlicka]
23373 Liberals accept that people need society, but Aristotelians must show that they need political activity [Kymlicka]
23375 Minimal liberal citizenship needs common civility, as well as mere non-interference [Kymlicka]
23376 Modern non-discrimination obliges modern citizens to treat each other as equals [Kymlicka]
23377 The right wing sees citizenship in terms of responsibility to earn a living, rather than rights [Kymlicka]
23371 Modern democratic theory focuses on talk, not votes, because we need consensus or compromise [Kymlicka]
23374 We have become attached to private life because that has become greatly enriched [Kymlicka]
23379 Rights are a part of nation-building, to build a common national identity and culture [Kymlicka]
23382 Rights derived from group membership are opposed to the idea of state citizenship [Kymlicka]
23378 The welfare state helps to integrate the working classes into a national culture [Kymlicka]
23380 Some individuals can gain citizenship as part of a group, rather than as mere individuals [Kymlicka]
23381 The status hierarchy is independent of the economic hierarchy [Kymlicka]
23383 Some multiculturalists defended the rights of cohesive minorities against liberal individualism [Kymlicka]
23384 'Culturalist' liberals say that even liberal individuals may need minority rights [Kymlicka]
23385 Multiculturalism may entail men dominating women in minority groups [Kymlicka]
23386 Liberals must prefer minority right which are freedoms, not restrictions [Kymlicka]
23387 Liberals must avoid an official culture, as well as an official religion [Kymlicka]
23388 Liberals need more than freedom; they must build a nation, through a language and institutions [Kymlicka]
23389 Why shouldn't national minorities have their own right to nation-build? [Kymlicka]
23390 In a liberal democracy all subjects of authority have a right to determine the authority [Kymlicka]
23391 Multiculturalism is liberal if it challenges inequality, conservative if it emphasises common good [Kymlicka]