In times of crisis, democratic theory must be as present and alive as State efforts to remain economically viable. In this context it is important to re-examine theories of democracy, in order to reinvigorate governance even as democracy experiences the forces of a global economy. Questions regarding what undermines democracy today foster a productive debate on the health of democratic systems. Is it possible to find and update from the history of democratic thought select ideas and visions that may be profitable for these times of globalization and economic turmoil?
Today the rhetorical nature of politics and political change are finding a place in political theory, due in part to the linguistic turn. With an instructive conceptual basis that views rhetoric not as mere persuasive language but as an attempt to forge meanings or guide citizens, we will examine today’s democratic struggles, asking how citizens may engage with politics in manners that avoid the pitfalls of power politics, populist agendas and potential manipulation by politically unaccountable actors or institutions.
Looking back at the works of several authors from the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea, we encounter engaging ideas which renew our understanding of how democracy can work in a complex world. The current challenges faced by the Southern regions of the EU, the limitations of democracy, and potentialities of citizen participation will be addressed within the framework of political theory. Democracy needs to remain close to the citizen, while also envisioning a viable project that can connect with hope for the future, by means of greater citizen awareness of public affairs.
