Reconstructive Democratic Theory

• Published in: The American political science review Vol. 87; no. 1; pp. 48 - 60
• Main Authors: Dryzek, John S., Berejikian, Jeffrey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.03.1993; American Political Science Association
• Subjects: Civil society; Communities; Conservatism; CONSERVATISM AND CONSERVATIVES; Democracy; DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND INSTITUTIONS; Democratic theory; Discourse; Discourses; LANGUAGE, LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS; LIBERALISM; Political discourse; Political discourse analysis; Political philosophy; Political science; Political Theory; POPULISM; Republicanism; State structure
• ISSN: 0003-0554; 1537-5943
• DOI: 10.2307/2938955

While the idea of democracy has never been more universal or more popular, both democratic theory and the empirical study of democratic possibilities are in some disarray. We seek a productive reconnection of these two endeavors with democratic discourse through close attention to the language of democracy as used by ordinary people and political actors. Reconstructive inquiry determines how the individuals who are the potential constituents of any democratic order themselves conceptualize democracy and their own political roles and competences. We deploy an intensive method—Q methodology—for the study of individual characteristics, capabilities, and dispositions in combination with political discourse analysis. Four discourses are discovered in an analysis of selected U.S. subjects: contented republicanism, deferential conservatism, disaffected populism, and private liberalism. These results can be used to relate democratic theory to live possibilities in democratic discourse.