Discursive Democracy: Politics, Policy, and Political Science Book

In this book, John Dryzek criticizes the dominance of instrumental rationality and objectivism in political institutions, public policy and in the practice of political science. He argues that the reliance on instrumental rationality has led to the excessive bureaucratization of government and to technocracies of expert cultures that are ill-equipped for dealing with complex social problems. ^L Drawing on critical theory, he outlines an alternative program for the organization of political institutions, advocating a form of participatory democracy, which he terms discursive democracy, that stresses the importance of active citizenship and public discourse. In the latter part of the book, he draws out the implications of the limitations of instrumental rationality and the potential of participatory problem solving for policy analysis and political science. ^L ^IDiscursive Democracy^R points to a more vital and meaningful participatory politics, to more effective social problem solving, and to a form of political science that respects the political capabilities of individuals.