Two-Dimensional Democracy, National and International

Abstract

From Introductory Paragraph: Drawing on a background in republican thought, I have argued elsewhere that democracy should have an electoral and a contestatory aspect. I argued in a normative spirit that this two-dimensional ideal is more defensible and more commanding than the more common, purely electoral alternative. But I believe that this usage of the word "democracy" also picks up some aspects of common talk, since few of us would happily apply the word to regimes, no matter how electorally unimpeachable, that failed to ensure the independence of the courts and to provide thereby for a basic form of contestation.

JEL Classification: K29