Deliberative Global Politics - Discourse And Democracy In A Divided World

Contending discourses underlie many of the worlds most intractable conflicts, producing misery and violence. This is especially true in the post-9/11 world. However, contending discourses can also open the way to greater dialogue in global civil society and across states and international organizations. This possibility holds even for the most murderous sorts of conflicts in deeply divided societies.

In this timely and original book, John Dryzek examines major contemporary conflicts in terms of clashing discourses. Topics covered include the alleged clash of civilizations; societies divided by ethnicity, nationality, or religion; economic globalization versus resistance; plus an in-depth discussion of the 'war on terror'. Dryzek concludes by highlighting the limitations of current neoconservative and cosmopolitan approaches, arguing that only deliberative global politics offers unprecedented new possibilities for democratic engagement in the international system.

This book will be of interest to students and scholars of international relations, politics, philosophy, and sociology.

John S. Dryzek is Professor in Social and Political Theory at the Australian National University.

"An innovative book, as it applies the theory of deliberative democracy and the language of discourses to the level of global politics in an original way. It is of interest not only to scholars of deliberative democracy, but also to scholars of international political theory, since it offers a strong critique of the cosmopolitan model."
—Zsuzsanna Chappell, Political Studies Review
"World public opinion is waking up. The power that rests in the hands of ever more restricted circles is becoming increasingly contested. John Dryzek provides brilliant arguments that will enable global civil society to oppose the dominant ideology and take control over our future."
—Daniele Archibugi, Italian National Research Council; University of London
"Deliberative Global Politics is a major statement in the debates about democracy beyond the state. This accessible and theoretically sophisticated book offers a theory of discursive contestation in international public spheres as a means to achieve democracy in a world that can no longer be governed on a top-down basis."
—James Bohman, Saint Louis University
"In this thought-provoking little book, John Dryzek presents a new way of thinking about world affairs, one in which an 'engagement across discourses' can lead to deliberative democracy on a global scale ... all readers of this book will come away recognizing a range of new questions that call for rigorous and sustained consideration."
—Oran R. Young, University of California Santa Barbara

Preface.
1 Welcome to a Divided World.
2 From the Clash of Civilizations to the Engagement of Discourses.
3 Deliberation in Divided Societies.
4 Discourses of Error in the War on Terror.
5 Contesting Globalization.
6 Reflexivity and Resistance
7 Governing Discourses: The Limits of Liberal Multilateralism.
8 Three Kinds of Democracy.
Notes.
References.
Index.