Open AccessDemocratic Discontents. Comment on: Flinders, M. (2015) The Problem with Democracy
Author(s) -
Ian Marsh
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
parliamentary affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.01
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1460-2482
pISSN - 0031-2290
DOI - 10.1093/pa/gsv007
Subject(s) - democracy , perspective (graphical) , active listening , sociology , politics , literacy , civic engagement , space (punctuation) , political science , law , pedagogy , philosophy , computer science , artificial intelligence , communication , linguistics
Matthew Flinders fine survey summarises the very wide contemporary literature on democratic discontents. Whilst of course recognising there is no single remedy, he urges attention to the development of political literacy. This involves practices of listening and speaking across civic space—from socialisation during schooling to democratic participation in adult life. In this brief note I want to offer a complementary perspective on these matters: why has citizen disaffection grown; what are the implications for policy-making practice; and finally, what systemic changes might be required to make wider engagement a reality.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom