Maija Setälä

Bringing together ten leading researchers in the field of deliberative democracy, this important book examines the features of a Deliberative Mini-Public (DMP) and considers how DMPs link into democratic systems. It examines the core design features of DMPs and their role in the broader policy process and takes stock of the characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of citizen participation. In doing so, the book offers valuable insights into the contributions that DMPs can make not only to the policy process, but also to the broader agenda of revitalising democracy in contemporary times.

Miksi demokratiaa pidetään ihanteellisena järjestelmänä? Demokratian arvo esittelee keskeiset näkemykset demokratian puolesta ja sitä vastaan sekä erittelee poliittisen tasa-arvon ja oikeudenmukaisuuden käsitteitä. Näin teos tarjoaa välineitä sen pohtimiseen, miten ja minkälaisten instituutioiden kautta demokratia voi toteutua.Demokratian arvo on perusteos kaikille demokratian teoriasta, käytännöstä ja tulevaisuudesta kiinnostuneille. Se soveltuu myös politiikantutkimuksen ja yhteiskuntafilosofian oppikirjaksi.

Referendums and Democratic Government is the most systematic analysis of the referendum so far. The referendum phenomenon is approached from different perspectives: social choice theory, theories of democracy, a comparative study on 22 democracies, and in-depth case studies of Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland. The referendum is not a unitary phenomenon but it serves various functions and different normative goals in the political systems studied. This variation may largely be explained by the differences in the initiating and agenda-setting procedures.

Referendums and Democratic Government is the most systematic analysis of the referendum so far. The referendum phenomenon is approached from different perspectives: social choice theory, theories of democracy, a comparative study on 22 democracies, and in-depth case studies of Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland. The referendum is not a unitary phenomenon but it serves various functions and different normative goals in the political systems studied. This variation may largely be explained by the differences in the initiating and agenda-setting procedures.