Global Democratic Theory

Global Democratic Theory is the first comprehensive introduction to the changing contours of democracy in today’s hyperconnected world. Accessibly written for readers new to the topic, it considers the impact of globalization and global forms of governance and activism on democratic politics and examines how democratic theory has responded to address these challenges, including calls for new forms of democracy to be developed beyond the nation-state and for greater public participation and accountability in existing global institutions.

Divided into two parts, the book shows how globalization provides both new obstacles and new opportunities for democracy. Part I explores the shifts underway at the national and international levels that are challenging democracy within nation-states around the world. In response, new proposals for global and transnational democracy have emerged. Part II critically analyses five main approaches of ‘global democratic theory’ Ð liberal internationalism, cosmopolitan democracy, deliberative democracy, social democracy and radical democracy, focusing on their specific interpretation of the problems facing democracy, their normative claims, and the feasibility of their proposed pathways of democratization. The book’s extensive account of the problems and possibilities facing democracy today will be essential reading for students and scholars of politics, political theory and political philosophy.

Introduction Democratic Theory in a Global Era

Chapter 1 Globalisation and the Democratic State

Chapter 2 Global Governance and Transnational Civil Society

Chapter 3 Liberal Internationalism

Chapter 4 Cosmopolitan Democracy

Chapter 5 Deliberative Democracy

Chapter 6 Social Democracy

Chapter 7 Radical Democracy

Conclusion Global Democratic Theory and the Citizen

Bibliography

"Global Democracy Theory answers an important need for a compact, wide-ranging, systematic, probing and accessibly written review of arguments about refashioning 'people's power' in contemporary politics. The book provides an excellent learning resource on global governance and global ethics.
Jan Scholte, University of Gothenburg and University of Warwick

"This book fulfills the need for a comprehensive analysis of global democratic theory. Bray and Slaughter establish exactly why democracy must apply at the global level, and explore the different ways this can happen. Theirs is a masterful treatment of democratic responses to key challenges facing a globalizing world."
John Dryzek, University of Canberra

Daniel Bray is Lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. His main research and teaching expertise is in international ethics, globalisation, democratic theory, and environmental politics. His current research specifically focuses on cosmopolitan approaches to international relations and pragmatist democratic theory.

Steven Slaughter is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.