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regardless of their democratic or autocratic nature, and also of their
national or international levels. In fact, what could probably offer more
promising prospects is to replace the idea of liberal democracy with the
idea of pluralist democracy. The very nature of pluralist democracy is
that no actor, ideology, politician, or social group (race, party, tribe, or
class) can be in a hegemonic position. In this respect, pluralism refers to
a constant competition among interests, values, ideologies, and people for
adequate representation, for a given share of power, and access to political
decision-making (Dahl 1971).
In my view, this kind of pluralist democracy is not built on the safeguards
of constitutional liberalism and the key institutions of representative
democracy, but also includes other popular (‘by the people’) processes in
political decision-making and deliberations. Of course, we have to admit that
this kind of democracy is probably less ‘calm’ and promises neither perpetual
peace, nor ultimate victory to any actor, only some kind of equilibrium in
politics and society. Nevertheless, it deserves to be given a chance.
Key concepts and terms
Constitutional liberalism
Democracy/liberal democracy/pluralist democracy
Democratic erosion
Depoliticisation
Dissatisfaction (with democracy)
Globalisation/neoliberalism
Illiberalism
Political polarisation
Populism
Technocracy
Bibliography
Art, David. 2020. “The Myth of Global Populism.” Perspective on Politics, 1-13.
DOT: 10.1017/S1537592720003552
Berman, Sheri. 2017. “The pipe dream of undemocratic liberalism.” Journal of
Democracy 28(3): 29-38.
Berman, Sheri. 2011. “The past and future of social democracy and the consequences
for democracy promotion? In The Conceptual Politics of Democracy Promotion,
edited by Christopher Hobson and Milja Kurki. London, New York: Routledge.
68-84.
Berman, Sheri, and Hans Kundnani. 2021. “The Cost of Convergence.” Journal of
Democracy 32(1): 22-36.