Democratisation of Democracy? On the Discontinuity Between Empirical and Normative Theories of Democracy

DUFEK, Pavel and Jan HOLZER. Democratisation of Democracy? On the Discontinuity Between Empirical and Normative Theories of Democracy. Representation. Routledge, 2013, vol. 49, No 2, p. 117-134. ISSN 0034-4893. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00344893.2013.816189.

Basic information

• Original name: Democratisation of Democracy? On the Discontinuity Between Empirical and Normative Theories of Democracy
• Name in Czech: Demokratizace demokracií? K nespojitosti empirických a normativních teorií demokracie
• Authors: DUFEK, Pavel (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Jan HOLZER (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Representation, Routledge, 2013, 0034-4893.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 50601 Political science
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14230/13:00066260
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00344893.2013.816189
• Keywords (in Czech): demokracie; demokratizace; teorie demokracie; měření kvality demoracie; empirické a normativní přístupy
• Keywords in English: Democracy; Democratisation; Democratic Theory; Measuring the Quality of Democracy; Empirical and Normative Approaches
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The article considers the gap that exists between between normative and empirical theories of democracy. Empirical theories usually stop in their aspirations where normative theories get off the ground, that is, they take the model of liberal democracy as their normative horizon. This is a confusing situation especially with regard to the possibilities of enhancing the quality of existing liberal democracies. We argue that a simple recalibration of democracy indexes, so as to include normatively more demanding considerations, is impossible, due to certain recurring features of normative models. We conclude that if we want to be serious about bridging the gap, concessions should be made on both sides.

Links

• GAP408/11/0709, research and development project: Name: Soudobé výzvy demokracii ve středovýchodní Evropě

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Contemporary challenges of democracy in East Central Europe