Inclusion and Democracy (Oxford Political Theory) [Hardcover]

Iris Marion Young (Author)

Book Description

Series: Oxford Political Theory | Publication Date: October 19, 2000

This controversial new look at democracy in a multicultural society considers the ideals of political inclusion and exclusion, and recommends ways to engage in democratic politics in a more inclusive way. Processes of debate and decision making often marginalize individuals and groups because the norms of political discussion are biased against some forms of expression. Inclusion and Democracy broadens our understanding of democratic communication by reflecting on the positive political functions of narrative, rhetorically situated appeals, and public protest. It reconstructs concepts of civil society and public sphere as enacting such plural forms of communication among debating citizens in large-scale societies. Iris Marion Young thoroughly discusses class, race, and gender bias in democratic processes, and argues that the scope of a polity should extend as wide as the scope of social and economic interactions that raise issues of justice. Today this implies the need for global democratic institutions. Young also contends that due to processes of residential segregation and the design of municipal jurisdictions, metropolitan governments which preserve significant local autonomy may be necessary to promote political equality. This latest work from one of the world's leading political philosophers will appeal to audiences from a variety of fields, including philosophy, political science, women's studies, ethnic studies, sociology, and communications studies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Illusion and Democracy is one of the most recent and most evocative contributions to this movement in political thought. The book contributes to discussions in our field on two levels: for practitioners, it offers valuable descriptions of the broader contexts within which public debate operates; at the same time, it works on a theoretical level to expand the traditional scope of political models to incorporate explicitly rhetorical concerns. . Young grounds her discussions in clear definitions of key terms and careful accounts of competing views."-Jac

About the Author

Iris Marion Young is Professor of Political Science at The University of Chicago. Her previous books include Throwing Like a Girl and Other Essays in Feminist Philosophy and Social Theory, Justice and the Politics of Difference, Intersecting Voices: Dilemmas of Gender, Political Philosophy and Policy, and A Companion to Feminist Philosophy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198297548
• ISBN-13: 978-0198297543
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,561,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh direction in democratic theory, August 5, 2002

By 

Neil Roberts (Williamstown, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inclusion and Democracy (Oxford Political Theory) (Hardcover)

"Democracy is hard to love." Iris Marion Young writes these words near the beginning of INCLUSION AND DEMOCRACY (2000). The love/hate relationship many people have with democracy originates in part from a love of democracy in theory but displeasure surrounding the outcomes of democratic systems in practice. I write this review from Jamaica during a time in which the struggle for democracy has reached critical proportions. The imminent national elections will play a part in determining the future direction of this polity. Jamaica presently operates under a neo-liberal economic system. Its flirtation with democratic socialism in the 1970s, though, along with its strong ties to Cuba hinted at a potential turn to socialism at a time when revolutions in Grenada, Iran, and Nicaragua fueled the Cold War Red Scare. The failure of both communist state capitalism and neo-liberalism among developing countries before and after the fall of the Soviet Union has left open the question, "What constitutes a democracy?" Furthermore, developed nations such as the US in the post-September 11 era are questioning WHO and WHAT constitute the fabric of their democracy amid daily economic struggles and racial profiling.
Young, like the late Hannah Arendt, is trained as a philosopher yet writes primarily as a political theorist. As such, Young is offering a theoretical framework in her discourse rather than a text full of regressions or allusions to philosopher-kings and queens. For academics in the discipline of "political science" who see a divide between the theorists and empiricists, this work offers fresh ideas for both camps. For the grassroots organic intellectuals and activists, you too will find new ideas.
Young outlines reasons why we should love democracy in three ways as I read the book: (1) Detailing an overview of contemporary democratic theory, (2) providing her criteria of the components of a democracy and (2) offering future directions in democratic theory. Per the title, "inclusion" is a cornerstone element of democracies and the prevention of exclusion is paramount. Jurgen Habermas has been criticized for composing theories that exclude several groups outside his closed Enlightenment project. What is telling about Young's thought is that Habermas taught a recent course at Northwestern University interrogating Young's ideas on multiculturalism and race. Young asks very important questions on the meaning of inclusion in a democratic polity.
So why read this book instead of the recent spate of works on the topic? The author is able to do something that unfortunately many writes cannot: compose a highly readable work that is simultaneously informative. In terms of innovations, Young links political theory, distributive justice, and social justice queries with "international" concerns for global justice; a move persons like Charles Beitz began and John Rawls avoided.
In conclusion, I urge anyone reading to pick up this work. The journal POLITICAL THEORY offers a useful recent response by Young to a critic of the book. Lastly, read Young's previous works on feminism and social justice (esp. JUSTICE AND THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE) to see get a sense of the author's writing. The only way we all can forge democracy in these precarious times is to talk, read, debate, and throw away the false belief that political theory is only an isolated academic exercise.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, March 14, 2007

By 

Pimple (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inclusion and Democracy (Oxford Political Theory) (Paperback)

I am about half way in the book and it is great. It is very well written and covers the topic with very good examples. I am really enjoying it.