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209316

The ethical justification for democracy

John Shook

pp. 55-85

Abstract

Interpretations of John Deweis Political Theory grasp his respect for public deliberation, but typically overlook his ethical justification for democracy. Dewey gave two primary reasons why democracy is superior to other forms of government. First, a public educated in the tools of social intelligence can be more effective at managing their social conflicts. Second, all people have an ethical right to become as valuable to their communities as they can become.

Publication details

Published in:

Shook John (2014) Dewey's social philosophy: democracy as education. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Pages: 55-85

DOI: 10.1057/9781137454782_3

Full citation:

Shook John (2014) The ethical justification for democracy, In: Dewey's social philosophy, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 55–85.