Anthony Simon Laden
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199606191
- eISBN:
- 9780191741081
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199606191.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, General, Metaphysics/Epistemology
Most philosophical and social scientific work that discusses reason starts from a picture of reason that treats the activity of reasoning as a means of navigating our environment in the pursuit of ...
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Most philosophical and social scientific work that discusses reason starts from a picture of reason that treats the activity of reasoning as a means of navigating our environment in the pursuit of various ends. This book offers an alternative, social picture of reasoning that pictures the activity of reasoning as a way of interacting with others that is reciprocal and responsive. On this picture, reasoning is to be contrasted with other forms of interaction, such as commanding or deferring. Reasoning is characterized as a social, ongoing activity that involves people inviting others to take what they say as speaking for them as well. So understood, it is a species of casual conversation, not primarily a form of calculation. Part I lays out the basic features of the social picture, and discusses the kind of authority it generates and the nature of casual conversation, of which reasoning is a form. Part II discusses the characteristic norms of three nested activities: casual conversation, reasoning and engaged reasoning. Part III discusses the principles that guide those reasoning as they respond to invitations that their reasoning partners make. These include principles that require attention to a form of self-preservation called integrity, and the connection between our ends and their means.Less
Most philosophical and social scientific work that discusses reason starts from a picture of reason that treats the activity of reasoning as a means of navigating our environment in the pursuit of various ends. This book offers an alternative, social picture of reasoning that pictures the activity of reasoning as a way of interacting with others that is reciprocal and responsive. On this picture, reasoning is to be contrasted with other forms of interaction, such as commanding or deferring. Reasoning is characterized as a social, ongoing activity that involves people inviting others to take what they say as speaking for them as well. So understood, it is a species of casual conversation, not primarily a form of calculation. Part I lays out the basic features of the social picture, and discusses the kind of authority it generates and the nature of casual conversation, of which reasoning is a form. Part II discusses the characteristic norms of three nested activities: casual conversation, reasoning and engaged reasoning. Part III discusses the principles that guide those reasoning as they respond to invitations that their reasoning partners make. These include principles that require attention to a form of self-preservation called integrity, and the connection between our ends and their means.
Reuven Y. Hazan and Gideon Rahat
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199572540
- eISBN:
- 9780191723070
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572540.003.0009
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter addresses each of the four main dimensions of candidate selection (candidacy, selectorate, decentralization, and voting/appointment) according to its impact on different aspects of ...
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This chapter addresses each of the four main dimensions of candidate selection (candidacy, selectorate, decentralization, and voting/appointment) according to its impact on different aspects of responsiveness. It begins with a discussion of political party unity, seeing high levels of unity as a sign of party‐centered responsiveness and low levels of it as a sign of candidate‐centered responsiveness. It then assesses the relationship between candidate selection and party unity, addressing each of the four dimensions and showing how the influence of different candidate selection methods on responsiveness can vary significantly. The chapter also deals with an important associated aspect that is relevant for responsiveness in particular, party financing, and points to its relationship with candidate selection. Throughout the chapter there is a constant reflection on the influence of the democratization of candidate selection, particularly as two contrasting approaches are delineated and empirical data is presented.Less
This chapter addresses each of the four main dimensions of candidate selection (candidacy, selectorate, decentralization, and voting/appointment) according to its impact on different aspects of responsiveness. It begins with a discussion of political party unity, seeing high levels of unity as a sign of party‐centered responsiveness and low levels of it as a sign of candidate‐centered responsiveness. It then assesses the relationship between candidate selection and party unity, addressing each of the four dimensions and showing how the influence of different candidate selection methods on responsiveness can vary significantly. The chapter also deals with an important associated aspect that is relevant for responsiveness in particular, party financing, and points to its relationship with candidate selection. Throughout the chapter there is a constant reflection on the influence of the democratization of candidate selection, particularly as two contrasting approaches are delineated and empirical data is presented.
R. A. W. Rhodes, John Wanna, and Patrick Weller
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199563494
- eISBN:
- 9780191722721
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199563494.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, UK Politics
This chapter explores how senior public servants create and reinterpret traditions. The public service confronts two dilemmas: between the generalist tradition and the impact of managerialism, and ...
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This chapter explores how senior public servants create and reinterpret traditions. The public service confronts two dilemmas: between the generalist tradition and the impact of managerialism, and between constitutional bureaucracy and political responsiveness. These dilemmas both drove the reforms and motivated the various heads of the public service to rethink their traditions to make sense of the world they inherited and the dilemmas they faced. Although this approach stresses local custom and practice, it can also identify shared beliefs and common responses. So, the chapter concludes public servants continue to hold many beliefs in common; they are neutral, expert, and accountable. Most notably, all seek to assert their professionalism by codifying their beliefs and practices. The essence of the public service is no longer a shared understanding, it is a written code. As a result, the family of ideas that is Westminster's constitutional bureaucracy persist to this day.Less
This chapter explores how senior public servants create and reinterpret traditions. The public service confronts two dilemmas: between the generalist tradition and the impact of managerialism, and between constitutional bureaucracy and political responsiveness. These dilemmas both drove the reforms and motivated the various heads of the public service to rethink their traditions to make sense of the world they inherited and the dilemmas they faced. Although this approach stresses local custom and practice, it can also identify shared beliefs and common responses. So, the chapter concludes public servants continue to hold many beliefs in common; they are neutral, expert, and accountable. Most notably, all seek to assert their professionalism by codifying their beliefs and practices. The essence of the public service is no longer a shared understanding, it is a written code. As a result, the family of ideas that is Westminster's constitutional bureaucracy persist to this day.
Michael D. McDonald and Ian Budge
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- February 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199286720
- eISBN:
- 9780191603327
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199286728.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Political variables (median voter and median parliamentary, government and ministry positions) change more radically and more quickly than policy outputs. This accounts for the lack of relationships ...
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Political variables (median voter and median parliamentary, government and ministry positions) change more radically and more quickly than policy outputs. This accounts for the lack of relationships previous studies have failed to find as we did, too, in chapters 8 and 9, between political changes and policy. However, political forces oscillate round stable equilibrium positions, which show a strong relationship to the policy regimes’ equilibria previously uncovered. In the long term, the responsiveness of the median parliamentary position to the median voter position is high, as is government position to MPP, and ministries to government position.Less
Political variables (median voter and median parliamentary, government and ministry positions) change more radically and more quickly than policy outputs. This accounts for the lack of relationships previous studies have failed to find as we did, too, in chapters 8 and 9, between political changes and policy. However, political forces oscillate round stable equilibrium positions, which show a strong relationship to the policy regimes’ equilibria previously uncovered. In the long term, the responsiveness of the median parliamentary position to the median voter position is high, as is government position to MPP, and ministries to government position.
Andrew Kuper
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- November 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199274901
- eISBN:
- 9780191601552
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199274908.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Develops a theory of representation that can guide the democratization of societies of great and even global scope. Kuper elucidates the institutional conditions necessary for (1) good judgements ...
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Develops a theory of representation that can guide the democratization of societies of great and even global scope. Kuper elucidates the institutional conditions necessary for (1) good judgements about interests to be made, (2) by adequately informed and capable agents, (3) who are empowered and constrained to act on such judgements responsibly. He argues that elections, competitive party politics, the classical tripartite separation of powers, media, and civil society are insufficient mechanisms for securing such substantive representation. He proposes an alternative institutional configuration, a new ‘plurality of powers’ that supplements and transforms these mechanisms. Among Kuper’s proposals for new institutions are: ‘advocacy and accountability agencies’ that will reduce power imbalances; a global ‘Charter of Obligations’ that will reduce bureaucracy; and a vision of ‘responsive global citizenship’ that will reduce citizen passivity. These innovations will enable citizens to exercise greater control, and enable representatives to act more effectively, than under a system of states.Less
Develops a theory of representation that can guide the democratization of societies of great and even global scope. Kuper elucidates the institutional conditions necessary for (1) good judgements about interests to be made, (2) by adequately informed and capable agents, (3) who are empowered and constrained to act on such judgements responsibly. He argues that elections, competitive party politics, the classical tripartite separation of powers, media, and civil society are insufficient mechanisms for securing such substantive representation. He proposes an alternative institutional configuration, a new ‘plurality of powers’ that supplements and transforms these mechanisms. Among Kuper’s proposals for new institutions are: ‘advocacy and accountability agencies’ that will reduce power imbalances; a global ‘Charter of Obligations’ that will reduce bureaucracy; and a vision of ‘responsive global citizenship’ that will reduce citizen passivity. These innovations will enable citizens to exercise greater control, and enable representatives to act more effectively, than under a system of states.
Michael D. McDonald and Ian Budge
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- February 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199286720
- eISBN:
- 9780191603327
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199286728.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter performs a static analysis of correspondences between median voter, Parliamentary median, and government preferences by individual government and election. Distortions are widespread but ...
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This chapter performs a static analysis of correspondences between median voter, Parliamentary median, and government preferences by individual government and election. Distortions are widespread but more evident under SMD than PR systems — which are of course designed to produce a ‘necessary’ correspondence between the median voter and the median party in Parliament. However, distortions at each stage (voter-Parliament, Parliament-government) and over time cancel each other out so long-term representational bias is limited.Less
This chapter performs a static analysis of correspondences between median voter, Parliamentary median, and government preferences by individual government and election. Distortions are widespread but more evident under SMD than PR systems — which are of course designed to produce a ‘necessary’ correspondence between the median voter and the median party in Parliament. However, distortions at each stage (voter-Parliament, Parliament-government) and over time cancel each other out so long-term representational bias is limited.
Iain McLean
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198295297
- eISBN:
- 9780191599873
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198295294.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
A case study of the great Victorian electoral realignment. Corrects existing claims about landslide elections, and tabulates the bias and responsiveness of the UK electoral system from 1868 to 1918. ...
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A case study of the great Victorian electoral realignment. Corrects existing claims about landslide elections, and tabulates the bias and responsiveness of the UK electoral system from 1868 to 1918. Examines the opportunities and problems for politicians in two‐dimensional space. A new account of the reasons for Gladstone's failure to achieve Home Rule for Ireland in 1886 and 1893 is offered, as is a solution to the puzzle of why politicians whose interest lay in widening the franchise after 1900, especially by introducing women's suffrage, failed to do so.Less
A case study of the great Victorian electoral realignment. Corrects existing claims about landslide elections, and tabulates the bias and responsiveness of the UK electoral system from 1868 to 1918. Examines the opportunities and problems for politicians in two‐dimensional space. A new account of the reasons for Gladstone's failure to achieve Home Rule for Ireland in 1886 and 1893 is offered, as is a solution to the puzzle of why politicians whose interest lay in widening the franchise after 1900, especially by introducing women's suffrage, failed to do so.
Lieven De Winter and Patrick Dumont
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780198297840
- eISBN:
- 9780191602016
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019829784X.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Reviews the mechanisms of delegation and accountability in post-war Belgium prior to the major reforms of the 1990s and the subsequent reforms. Discusses how political parties dominate these ...
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Reviews the mechanisms of delegation and accountability in post-war Belgium prior to the major reforms of the 1990s and the subsequent reforms. Discusses how political parties dominate these processes and reduce many actors in the parliamentary chain of delegation (MPs, ministers, civil servants) to mere party agents. Partitocracy is unavoidable and even functional for political system stability in Belgium, but it does come at the cost of undermining political legitimacy and governability.Less
Reviews the mechanisms of delegation and accountability in post-war Belgium prior to the major reforms of the 1990s and the subsequent reforms. Discusses how political parties dominate these processes and reduce many actors in the parliamentary chain of delegation (MPs, ministers, civil servants) to mere party agents. Partitocracy is unavoidable and even functional for political system stability in Belgium, but it does come at the cost of undermining political legitimacy and governability.
Christopher J. Anderson, André Blais, Shaun Bowler, Todd Donovan, and Ola Listhaug
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199276387
- eISBN:
- 9780191602719
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199276382.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Investigates the gap in winners’ and losers’ attitudes with regard to different kinds of attitudes about the political system across established and newly emerging democracies. The results show that ...
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Investigates the gap in winners’ and losers’ attitudes with regard to different kinds of attitudes about the political system across established and newly emerging democracies. The results show that being in the political majority generally translates into more positive attitudes toward government, while losers have more negative attitudes toward the political system. We find that there usually is a gap in winners’ and losers’ sense of whether elections are fair, their evaluations of the performance of the political system, as well as feelings about whether government is responsive. Moreover, losing elections appears to diminish people’s support for democratic principles overall, and losers exhibit a heightened propensity to engage in political protest.Less
Investigates the gap in winners’ and losers’ attitudes with regard to different kinds of attitudes about the political system across established and newly emerging democracies. The results show that being in the political majority generally translates into more positive attitudes toward government, while losers have more negative attitudes toward the political system. We find that there usually is a gap in winners’ and losers’ sense of whether elections are fair, their evaluations of the performance of the political system, as well as feelings about whether government is responsive. Moreover, losing elections appears to diminish people’s support for democratic principles overall, and losers exhibit a heightened propensity to engage in political protest.
Christopher J. Anderson, André Blais, Shaun Bowler, Todd Donovan, and Ola Listhaug
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199276387
- eISBN:
- 9780191602719
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199276382.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Examines losers’ evaluations of electoral democracy. The data show that more losers are satisfied with the functioning of democracy than dissatisfied, an overwhelming majority believes that the most ...
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Examines losers’ evaluations of electoral democracy. The data show that more losers are satisfied with the functioning of democracy than dissatisfied, an overwhelming majority believes that the most recent election was fair, and more losers say that parties care what ordinary people think than the opposite. We also find that losers’ evaluations of satisfaction and fairness are lower but evaluations of responsiveness higher in non-established democracies. We also find that losers evaluate all three aspects of electoral democracy more positively in countries with more proportional electoral systems. Moreover, our results indicate that losers in more developed countries are more satisfied with democracy but less positive in their assessments of the fairness of the most recent election. The analyses further indicate that supporters of losing parties that have never been in government are the most critical of representative democracy, while supporters of the major losing party that formed the government at the time of the election feel most positive.Less
Examines losers’ evaluations of electoral democracy. The data show that more losers are satisfied with the functioning of democracy than dissatisfied, an overwhelming majority believes that the most recent election was fair, and more losers say that parties care what ordinary people think than the opposite. We also find that losers’ evaluations of satisfaction and fairness are lower but evaluations of responsiveness higher in non-established democracies. We also find that losers evaluate all three aspects of electoral democracy more positively in countries with more proportional electoral systems. Moreover, our results indicate that losers in more developed countries are more satisfied with democracy but less positive in their assessments of the fairness of the most recent election. The analyses further indicate that supporters of losing parties that have never been in government are the most critical of representative democracy, while supporters of the major losing party that formed the government at the time of the election feel most positive.
Andrew Inkpen and Kannan Ramaswamy
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195167207
- eISBN:
- 9780199789825
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195167207.003.0004
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Strategy
This chapter extends the discussion of strategic approaches by focusing on the organizational demands of global strategies, with an emphasis on MNE structural choices. It begins with a case study to ...
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This chapter extends the discussion of strategic approaches by focusing on the organizational demands of global strategies, with an emphasis on MNE structural choices. It begins with a case study to provide an example of the variety of organizational options available to MNEs. It then discusses national responsiveness and global integration as conflicting imperatives. The challenges associated with MNE organizational change from country-centered to globally-oriented is examined, followed by a discussion of the evolution of MNE organizations and the emergence of the transnational concept as an organizing model. The strategy and role of the MNE subsidiary is examined along with a discussion of the reasons why the traditional country-based authority and power of subsidiaries is waning. The chapter concludes with some consideration of how the MNE of the future will manage the inevitability of increased organizational complexity.Less
This chapter extends the discussion of strategic approaches by focusing on the organizational demands of global strategies, with an emphasis on MNE structural choices. It begins with a case study to provide an example of the variety of organizational options available to MNEs. It then discusses national responsiveness and global integration as conflicting imperatives. The challenges associated with MNE organizational change from country-centered to globally-oriented is examined, followed by a discussion of the evolution of MNE organizations and the emergence of the transnational concept as an organizing model. The strategy and role of the MNE subsidiary is examined along with a discussion of the reasons why the traditional country-based authority and power of subsidiaries is waning. The chapter concludes with some consideration of how the MNE of the future will manage the inevitability of increased organizational complexity.
Simona Piattoni
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199562923
- eISBN:
- 9780191721656
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199562923.003.0012
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, European Union
This chapter discusses the normative arguments in favor of efficiency as a legitimating factor by showing that output legitimacy in itself is not sufficient and perhaps cannot even be directly ...
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This chapter discusses the normative arguments in favor of efficiency as a legitimating factor by showing that output legitimacy in itself is not sufficient and perhaps cannot even be directly assessed. It suggests that output legitimacy may be reformulated and measured in terms of the ability of various actors to provide input. It is finally analyzed in terms of transparency, responsiveness, and accountability.Less
This chapter discusses the normative arguments in favor of efficiency as a legitimating factor by showing that output legitimacy in itself is not sufficient and perhaps cannot even be directly assessed. It suggests that output legitimacy may be reformulated and measured in terms of the ability of various actors to provide input. It is finally analyzed in terms of transparency, responsiveness, and accountability.
Surya Deva
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197264911
- eISBN:
- 9780191754098
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264911.003.0008
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter explores the responsibility of corporations regarding child labour. This exploration is done at two levels. First, selected regulatory regimes are reviewed to ascertain the corporate ...
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This chapter explores the responsibility of corporations regarding child labour. This exploration is done at two levels. First, selected regulatory regimes are reviewed to ascertain the corporate responsibility outlined therein. Under international law generally, the responsibility in relation to human/labour rights was traditionally and primarily conceived with reference to states. This state-focal nature, though, seems to be undergoing a change in recent years. For example, more importance is now being given to states' duty to ensure that non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions comply with the goal of eliminating child labour. In addition to this indirect approach, responsibility for child labour is also being directly imposed on corporations. Second, at a normative level, the notion of responsibility is analysed with reference to the idea of being ‘responsive’ to the state of child labour. ‘Responsiveness’ is contrasted with ‘responsibility’ in that the former focuses more on strategy and action rather than outlining what duties corporations have on a given issue.Less
This chapter explores the responsibility of corporations regarding child labour. This exploration is done at two levels. First, selected regulatory regimes are reviewed to ascertain the corporate responsibility outlined therein. Under international law generally, the responsibility in relation to human/labour rights was traditionally and primarily conceived with reference to states. This state-focal nature, though, seems to be undergoing a change in recent years. For example, more importance is now being given to states' duty to ensure that non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions comply with the goal of eliminating child labour. In addition to this indirect approach, responsibility for child labour is also being directly imposed on corporations. Second, at a normative level, the notion of responsibility is analysed with reference to the idea of being ‘responsive’ to the state of child labour. ‘Responsiveness’ is contrasted with ‘responsibility’ in that the former focuses more on strategy and action rather than outlining what duties corporations have on a given issue.
Graham Bell
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198569725
- eISBN:
- 9780191717741
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198569725.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Selection in complex and structured environments is likely to cause the divergence of differently adapted lines. This will lead to a diverse array of specialized types, or to one or a few broad ...
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Selection in complex and structured environments is likely to cause the divergence of differently adapted lines. This will lead to a diverse array of specialized types, or to one or a few broad generalists, or to some intermediate situation. The first section in this chapter is called GxE and details the ecogenetic landscape; the magnitude of GxE; inconsistency and responsiveness; the genetic correlation in relation to environmental variance; the outcome of selection in different environments; stability and responsiveness; and the evolution of stability and responsiveness. The second section is about specialization and generalization, and details niche separation; the cost of adaptation; divergent specialization; sources of antagonism: functional interference; sources of antagonism: mutational degradation; and the consequences of interference and degradation. It also gives an experimental adaptive radiation regarding pseudomonas and an historical adaptive radiation concerning anolis. The third section called Opportunities in space, obligations in time, explains simple environments; complex environments; the cost of adaptation in complex environments; structured environments; the outcome of selection in structured environments; fluctuating fitness; and the outcome of selection in variable environments. The final section is called Local adaptation and details the precision of local adaptation and gives reciprocal transplant experiments.Less
Selection in complex and structured environments is likely to cause the divergence of differently adapted lines. This will lead to a diverse array of specialized types, or to one or a few broad generalists, or to some intermediate situation. The first section in this chapter is called GxE and details the ecogenetic landscape; the magnitude of GxE; inconsistency and responsiveness; the genetic correlation in relation to environmental variance; the outcome of selection in different environments; stability and responsiveness; and the evolution of stability and responsiveness. The second section is about specialization and generalization, and details niche separation; the cost of adaptation; divergent specialization; sources of antagonism: functional interference; sources of antagonism: mutational degradation; and the consequences of interference and degradation. It also gives an experimental adaptive radiation regarding pseudomonas and an historical adaptive radiation concerning anolis. The third section called Opportunities in space, obligations in time, explains simple environments; complex environments; the cost of adaptation in complex environments; structured environments; the outcome of selection in structured environments; fluctuating fitness; and the outcome of selection in variable environments. The final section is called Local adaptation and details the precision of local adaptation and gives reciprocal transplant experiments.
Molly C. Haslam
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780823239405
- eISBN:
- 9780823239443
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Fordham University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5422/fordham/9780823239405.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
This book asks, on behalf of individuals with profound intellectual disabilities, what it means to be human. That question has traditionally been answered with an emphasis on an intellectual ...
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This book asks, on behalf of individuals with profound intellectual disabilities, what it means to be human. That question has traditionally been answered with an emphasis on an intellectual capacity—the ability to employ concepts or to make moral choices—and has ignored the value of individuals who lack such intellectual capacities. The book suggests, rather, that human beings be understood in terms of participation in relationships of mutual responsiveness, which includes but is not limited to intellectual forms of communicating. The book supports its argument by developing a phenomenology of how an individual with a profound intellectual disability relates, drawn from clinical experience as a physical therapist. The book thereby demonstrates that these individuals participate in relationships of mutual responsiveness, though in nonsymbolic, bodily ways. To be human, to image God, it argues, is to respond to the world around us in any number of ways, bodily or symbolically. Such an understanding does not exclude people with intellectual disabilities but rather includes them among those who participate in the image of God.Less
This book asks, on behalf of individuals with profound intellectual disabilities, what it means to be human. That question has traditionally been answered with an emphasis on an intellectual capacity—the ability to employ concepts or to make moral choices—and has ignored the value of individuals who lack such intellectual capacities. The book suggests, rather, that human beings be understood in terms of participation in relationships of mutual responsiveness, which includes but is not limited to intellectual forms of communicating. The book supports its argument by developing a phenomenology of how an individual with a profound intellectual disability relates, drawn from clinical experience as a physical therapist. The book thereby demonstrates that these individuals participate in relationships of mutual responsiveness, though in nonsymbolic, bodily ways. To be human, to image God, it argues, is to respond to the world around us in any number of ways, bodily or symbolically. Such an understanding does not exclude people with intellectual disabilities but rather includes them among those who participate in the image of God.
William J. Talbott
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195173482
- eISBN:
- 9780199872176
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195173482.003.0005
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter shows how the main principle points the way to a solution to the two deepest mysteries in moral philosophy, one metaphysical and one epistemological. The metaphysical mystery is to ...
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This chapter shows how the main principle points the way to a solution to the two deepest mysteries in moral philosophy, one metaphysical and one epistemological. The metaphysical mystery is to explain why moral norms and principles always seem to have exceptions. The epistemological mystery is to explain how human beings could come to recognize exceptions to the very moral norms and principles that were used in their moral training. The solution to the metaphysical mystery is to see that moral reasoning has a reference class logic, modeled by conditional probability. The solution to the epistemological mystery is to see that moral training can produce practical wisdom, understood as implicit sensitivity to the main principle. The chapter also reviews the historical discovery of the paradox of direct consequentialism to explain why the main principle does not endorse a change to using it as a ground-level moral principle. The chapter then compares the book's account of legal improvement with R. Dworkin’s account of law as integrity on the issue of retroactivity in the civil law.Less
This chapter shows how the main principle points the way to a solution to the two deepest mysteries in moral philosophy, one metaphysical and one epistemological. The metaphysical mystery is to explain why moral norms and principles always seem to have exceptions. The epistemological mystery is to explain how human beings could come to recognize exceptions to the very moral norms and principles that were used in their moral training. The solution to the metaphysical mystery is to see that moral reasoning has a reference class logic, modeled by conditional probability. The solution to the epistemological mystery is to see that moral training can produce practical wisdom, understood as implicit sensitivity to the main principle. The chapter also reviews the historical discovery of the paradox of direct consequentialism to explain why the main principle does not endorse a change to using it as a ground-level moral principle. The chapter then compares the book's account of legal improvement with R. Dworkin’s account of law as integrity on the issue of retroactivity in the civil law.
Hélène Landemore
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- May 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780691181998
- eISBN:
- 9780691208725
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691181998.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
To the ancient Greeks, democracy meant gathering in public and debating laws set by a randomly selected assembly of several hundred citizens. To the Icelandic Vikings, democracy meant meeting every ...
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To the ancient Greeks, democracy meant gathering in public and debating laws set by a randomly selected assembly of several hundred citizens. To the Icelandic Vikings, democracy meant meeting every summer in a field to discuss issues until consensus was reached. Our contemporary representative democracies are very different. Modern parliaments are gated and guarded, and it seems as if only certain people — with the right suit, accent, wealth, and connections — are welcome. Diagnosing what is wrong with representative government and aiming to recover some of the lost openness of ancient democracies, this book presents a new paradigm of democracy in which power is genuinely accessible to ordinary citizens. This book favors the ideal of “representing and being represented in turn” over direct-democracy approaches. Supporting a fresh nonelectoral understanding of democratic representation, the book recommends centering political institutions around the “open mini-public” — a large, jury-like body of randomly selected citizens gathered to define laws and policies for the polity, in connection with the larger public. It also defends five institutional principles as the foundations of an open democracy: participatory rights, deliberation, the majoritarian principle, democratic representation, and transparency. The book demonstrates that placing ordinary citizens, rather than elites, at the heart of democratic power is not only the true meaning of a government of, by, and for the people, but also feasible and, today more than ever, urgently needed.Less
To the ancient Greeks, democracy meant gathering in public and debating laws set by a randomly selected assembly of several hundred citizens. To the Icelandic Vikings, democracy meant meeting every summer in a field to discuss issues until consensus was reached. Our contemporary representative democracies are very different. Modern parliaments are gated and guarded, and it seems as if only certain people — with the right suit, accent, wealth, and connections — are welcome. Diagnosing what is wrong with representative government and aiming to recover some of the lost openness of ancient democracies, this book presents a new paradigm of democracy in which power is genuinely accessible to ordinary citizens. This book favors the ideal of “representing and being represented in turn” over direct-democracy approaches. Supporting a fresh nonelectoral understanding of democratic representation, the book recommends centering political institutions around the “open mini-public” — a large, jury-like body of randomly selected citizens gathered to define laws and policies for the polity, in connection with the larger public. It also defends five institutional principles as the foundations of an open democracy: participatory rights, deliberation, the majoritarian principle, democratic representation, and transparency. The book demonstrates that placing ordinary citizens, rather than elites, at the heart of democratic power is not only the true meaning of a government of, by, and for the people, but also feasible and, today more than ever, urgently needed.
Reuven Y. Hazan and Gideon Rahat
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199572540
- eISBN:
- 9780191723070
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572540.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Can too much participation harm democracy? Democratic theory places great importance upon the conduct of elections, but it is not often recognized that the electoral game takes place in two arenas, ...
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Can too much participation harm democracy? Democratic theory places great importance upon the conduct of elections, but it is not often recognized that the electoral game takes place in two arenas, not only between parties but also within them. This pioneering book presents a new approach to understanding political parties. It sheds light on the inner dynamics of party politics and offers the first comprehensive analysis of one of the most important processes any party undertakes – its process of candidate selection. Candidate selection methods are the mechanisms by which a party chooses its candidates for the general elections. It may be the function that separates parties from other organizations. For such an important function, this field has certainly faced a dearth of serious investigation. Hazan and Rahat, the leading scholars on this topic, conduct an in‐depth analysis of the consequences of different candidate selection methods on democracy. This book is a culmination of almost two decades of research and defines the field of candidate selection. Part I of the book delineates candidate selection methods based on four major dimensions: candidacy, the selectorate, decentralization, and voting versus appointment systems. Part II analyzes the political consequences of using different candidate selection methods according to four important aspects of democracy: participation, representation, competition, and responsiveness. The book ends with a proposed candidate selection method that optimally balances all four of the democratic aspects concurrently, and answers the question “Is the most participatory candidate selection method necessarily the best one for democracy?.”Less
Can too much participation harm democracy? Democratic theory places great importance upon the conduct of elections, but it is not often recognized that the electoral game takes place in two arenas, not only between parties but also within them. This pioneering book presents a new approach to understanding political parties. It sheds light on the inner dynamics of party politics and offers the first comprehensive analysis of one of the most important processes any party undertakes – its process of candidate selection. Candidate selection methods are the mechanisms by which a party chooses its candidates for the general elections. It may be the function that separates parties from other organizations. For such an important function, this field has certainly faced a dearth of serious investigation. Hazan and Rahat, the leading scholars on this topic, conduct an in‐depth analysis of the consequences of different candidate selection methods on democracy. This book is a culmination of almost two decades of research and defines the field of candidate selection. Part I of the book delineates candidate selection methods based on four major dimensions: candidacy, the selectorate, decentralization, and voting versus appointment systems. Part II analyzes the political consequences of using different candidate selection methods according to four important aspects of democracy: participation, representation, competition, and responsiveness. The book ends with a proposed candidate selection method that optimally balances all four of the democratic aspects concurrently, and answers the question “Is the most participatory candidate selection method necessarily the best one for democracy?.”
Reuven Y. Hazan and Gideon Rahat
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199572540
- eISBN:
- 9780191723070
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572540.003.0010
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter examines the question: Which candidate selection method better serves democracy? It argues that democracy should be understood and achieved in terms of both intraparty selection and ...
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This chapter examines the question: Which candidate selection method better serves democracy? It argues that democracy should be understood and achieved in terms of both intraparty selection and interparty election. However, there is no single method that ideally serves three important democratic goals: expressing democratic norms (participation, competition) and producing democratic outputs (representation, responsiveness); the liberal democratic diffusion of political power; and maintaining the health of the political party. The chapter proposes an arguably optimal multistage candidate selection method based on three different selectorates, using moderate requirements for candidacy, and allowing the national center a say in candidate selection. If democracy is defined as more than just participation, then the most democratic candidate selection method will attempt to achieve as much as possible of all three democratic goals, without extracting too high a price on any, and will also be the best candidate selection method for democracy.Less
This chapter examines the question: Which candidate selection method better serves democracy? It argues that democracy should be understood and achieved in terms of both intraparty selection and interparty election. However, there is no single method that ideally serves three important democratic goals: expressing democratic norms (participation, competition) and producing democratic outputs (representation, responsiveness); the liberal democratic diffusion of political power; and maintaining the health of the political party. The chapter proposes an arguably optimal multistage candidate selection method based on three different selectorates, using moderate requirements for candidacy, and allowing the national center a say in candidate selection. If democracy is defined as more than just participation, then the most democratic candidate selection method will attempt to achieve as much as possible of all three democratic goals, without extracting too high a price on any, and will also be the best candidate selection method for democracy.
Lawrence Ezrow
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199572526
- eISBN:
- 9780191722752
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572526.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, European Union
Do political parties respond to shifts in the preferences of their supporters or to the mean voter position? Cross‐national analyses – based on observations from Eurobarometer surveys and parties' ...
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Do political parties respond to shifts in the preferences of their supporters or to the mean voter position? Cross‐national analyses – based on observations from Eurobarometer surveys and parties' policy programs in fifteen countries from 1973 to 2002 – suggest that mainstream parties respond to shifts in the mean voter position. Alternatively, niche parties respond to shifts in the mean position of their supporters. The chapter reports an additional finding that there is no evidence that electoral systems mediate – namely, they do not determine whether parties are more or less likely to respond to the mean voter position or to their supporters. Again, lowering the level of analysis to consider the ‘type of party’ (niche and mainstream) is best for understanding to which group parties respond.Less
Do political parties respond to shifts in the preferences of their supporters or to the mean voter position? Cross‐national analyses – based on observations from Eurobarometer surveys and parties' policy programs in fifteen countries from 1973 to 2002 – suggest that mainstream parties respond to shifts in the mean voter position. Alternatively, niche parties respond to shifts in the mean position of their supporters. The chapter reports an additional finding that there is no evidence that electoral systems mediate – namely, they do not determine whether parties are more or less likely to respond to the mean voter position or to their supporters. Again, lowering the level of analysis to consider the ‘type of party’ (niche and mainstream) is best for understanding to which group parties respond.
