Toward a Grounded Theory of Democracy A Trial Using Political Speeches from Different Times, Places, and Contexts

5 Towards a Critical Theory of Democracy: The Frankfurt School and Democratic Theory

In this chapter we build upon our discussion in the previous chapter and attempt to lay out what we believe are central elements of a critical theory of democracy.This raises the obvious question of what such a theory would entail: what elements of critical theory as we explored it in previous chapters; and what kind o...

Conceptualizing Difference The Normative Core of Democracy

Not Just Words: Political Rhetorics and the Shrinking Space for Climate Activism

How did the climate movement, so strong and dynamic after 2018 face such a sharp backlash even in eco-minded democratic environments? To answer this question, this article analyses political strategies and the media discourse regarding climate activism in Austria. Drawing on theoretical notions of changing civic spac...

Hope and uncertainty

This study examined how social media shaped political engagement and public discourse during Zimbabwe’s 2023 harmonised elections and assessed the implications of these elections for democratic development. Using a qualitative design, it drew on semi-structured interviews with political actors, journalists and alternat...

Modernization Theory Revisited: Democracy and Traditional Beliefs in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Modernization theory posits that socio‐economic development fosters value change, increasing popular demand for democracy and improving democratic quality. This article revisits this claim by examining whether traditional beliefs undermine democratic attitudes and democratic outcomes in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Using surv...

III Political thought, political and critical theory / Pensée politique, théorie politique et critique

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