Associations and Democracy

As the tasks of the state become more complex and the size of polities larger, the institutional forms of liberal democracy developed in the nineteenth century seem increasingly unable to cope. In Associations and Democracy, Joshua Cohen and Joel Rogers advance an innovative scheme for rejuvenating the democratic state. Their proposal involves strengthening secondary associations like unions, neighborhood associations, parent-teacher groups and women's associations, and more fully integrating them into political life. Mediating between individuals and the state, these can potentially become effective vehicles for representing citizens, for deepening their active participation in the political process, and even for implementing public policies themselves.

Contributors: Paul Q. Hirst, Ellen M. Immergut, Ira Katznelson, Heinz Klug, Andrew Levine, James Mansbridge, Claus Offe, Philippe C. Schmitter, Wolfgang Streeck, Andrew Szasz, Iris Marion Young