The Future of Liberal Democracy

Top scholars and practitioners from a variety of ideological perspectives consider liberal democracy and the Jeffersonian legacy, both in relation to key issues in the practice and theory of rights (human rights, individual rights) and in relation to key themes in political thought such as citizenship and participation that remain at the forefront of our debates about public life today. The first section of this collection provides historical and theoretical perspectives on Jefferson's ideals and thought. The second section explores the key themes of sovereignty, citizenship, participation, and accountability. A concluding section analyzes the relevance and place of Jefferson's legacy and the fate of liberal democracy in today's world. Contributors offer varying perspectives on questions such as: Is what is good for America good for the rest of the world? What are the constraints that exist on the global spread of democracy, liberal or otherwise?

'These are powerful essays exploring the complexities of Jefferson's ideas and their relevance today as liberal democracies face an illiberal network of nations. Anyone interested in the origins of modern democratic thought and its pertinence to our world must read them. - Joyce Appleby, UCLA

'These are powerful essays exploring the complexities of Jefferson's ideas and their relevance today as liberal democracies face an illiberal network of nations. Any one interested in the origins of modern democratic thought and its pertinence to our world must read them.'' - Joyce Appleby, UCLA.

Autorentext
R.K. RAMAZANI is Edward R. Stettinius Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics, University of Virginia, USA.

ROBERT FATTON JR. is Julia Cooper Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, USA.

Inhalt
Preface; J.Horn Introduction; R.Fatton Jr. & R.K.Ramazani PART I: HUMAN RIGHTS, THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE LOCKEAN MOMENT Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Declaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen; I.McLean Liberal Imperialism; A.Ryan An Appeal To Heaven: The Language of Rights on the Eve of American Independence; T.H.Breen Jefferson and Jinnah: Humanist Ideals and the Mythology of Nation-Building; A.Ahmed PART II: RIGHTS AND THE CRAFTING OF CONSTITUTIONS Rights and Human Rights in the Modern World the Experience of Working the Bill of Rights in the Indian Constitution; S.J.Sorabjee Another 'Springtime of Nations'? Rights in Central and Eastern Europe; A.E.D.Howard Thomas Jefferson, Rights, and the Contemporary World; Y.Akashi PART III: CASE STUDIES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY Citizenship and the Struggle for Rights in Fledgling Democracies; M.Tamthai Human Rights of Women in Iran; N.Ramazani Iran's Historical Battle for Democracy An Interpretation; R.K.Ramazani Citizenship and Democracy in Haiti; R.Fatton Jr. PART IV: RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY, AND POWER Lost Illusions; S.Hoffman The United States, Human Rights, and Moral Autonomy in the Post-Cold War World; B.Womack Human Rights, Peace, and Power; J.Owen