Critical Pluralism, Democratic Performance, and Community Power (Paperback)

A central question in political science is who governs and how. Typically political scientists attempt to answer this question by relying upon either empirical analysis, which explains existing political practices, or normative analysis, which prescribes ideal political practices. Political scientist Paul Schumaker rejects this distinction between empirical and normative theory. Instead, he weds the two approaches to create the new analytical mode he calls critical pluralism. With it he can measure variances in government from pluralist/democratic ideals and still provide theoretical explanations of why the variances occurred. Schumaker uses critical pluralism to describe, explain, and evaluate variations in three key measures of democratic performance: responsible representation, complex equality, and principle-policy congruence. To test his framework and methodology he analyzes 29 community issues that arose in Lawrence, Kansas, between 1977 and 1987. The results of his study-one of the most comprehensive databases ever in the study of community politics-will be of interest to those who study community power. The conceptual framework itself and methodology used in assessing democratic performance will have a lasting impact on the way community government is studied.

General

Imprint:	University Press of Kansas
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	October 2021
Authors:	Paul Schumaker
Dimensions:	229 x 152mm (L x W)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	280
ISBN-13:	978-0-7006-3168-1
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > General Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Central government > Central government policies Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Local government > General Books > Earth & environment > Regional & area planning > Urban & municipal planning > General
LSN:	0-7006-3168-2
Barcode:	9780700631681

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!