Democracy

Weale (government, U. of Essex) defines democracy as a system of government in which important choices in public policy depend, in a systematic way, upon public opinion, and finds its key justification in its capacity to enable members of society to advance their common interests as political equals in a situation of human fallibility. He contrasts his view with those based on the idea of autonomy, and argues that any satisfactory theory must presuppose some degree of common purpose among the citizens. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)