Towards Inductive Universalism: The Transformative Impact of Comparative Political Theory on Democratic Research

Abstract

Comparative Political Theory (CPT) has been pivotal in unraveling the intricate web of democratic ideologies in different temporal and global contexts. However, it is now necessary to go beyond the Eurocentric view and to explore the different concepts of democracy in order to improve Comparative Democratic Research (CDR). Therefore, the panel is dedicated to investigating context-specific meanings of democracy at the theoretical level transcending paradigms, models, concepts and understandings. In contrast to perspectives from Comparative Politics, which focus on promoting a symbiosis of Western and non-Western perspectives, we seek to elevate the discourse to an overarching and normative level. The central challenge is not only to recognize the potential of different democratic conceptions, but to harness it for the advancement of CDR. Therefore, the panel encourages contributions that scrutinize and analyze democratic theories that are organically rooted in various global contexts, paving the way for a more nuanced and comprehensive study of democracy that extends beyond a Western-centric view. In its pursuit of refining CDR, our discussion strives for an ambitious goal: an inductive universalism in democratic research. Such universalism aims to transcend the mere assemblage of Western and non-Western perspectives and distill fundamental democratic principles across cultural, historical and geographical boundaries. Our goal is to build a normative understanding and appropriate framework that not only responds to the evolving dynamics of governance, but also follows universal principles that must never fall prey to any contextualizing relativism. To guide contributors towards this transformative goal, the panel poses four pivotal questions: ▪️ How do context-specific democratic theories challenge or complement established Western-centric paradigms, and what implications do they hold for the universal understanding of democracy? ▪️ In what ways can CPT and CDR bridge the gap between historical and contemporary conceptualizations of democracy, fostering a dialogue that is both rooted in tradition and responsive to the evolving dynamics of governance? ▪️ How can an inductive universalism of democracy accommodate the richness of diverse democratic practices without succumbing to a one-size-fits-all approach? How can this universalism be both inclusive and respectful of cultural particularities? ▪️ To what extent can Comparative Democratic Research contribute to the development of a more nuanced and contextually relevant framework for democracy, capable of accommodating diverse perspectives without compromising fundamental democratic principles? By addressing these questions, the panel endeavors to catalyze a paradigm shift in democratic discourse, steering away from the juxtaposition of perspectives towards a comprehensive inductive universalism. This approach not only acknowledges the inherent diversity of democratic theories but also seeks to construct a globally applicable understanding across traditional boundaries, fostering a more inclusive democratic framework.

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