1st Edition

European Democratic Culture

Edited By Gerard Duprat, Noel Parker, Alain-Marc Rieu Copyright 1995

    These essays go beyond conventional studies of the institutions and parties of Europe to address Europe's democractic future more widely.
    While the book does offer an analysis of the democratic institutions of European countries, identifying common features and differences, as the editors put it, "institutions cannot function alone, like machines to produce concensus". So the book focuses on the fundamentals of European democratic culture. The authors argue that European social life and scientific learning have been indispensable components in the growth of the shared values that democracy pursues. They also analyse the dynamic tension brought to the life of democractic institutions by law, the desire for freedom, and critical public debate.
    With Europe engaged in perpetual self-examination, and rapid change, this book provides insights into its democractic past and prognosticates for its democratic future.

    General preface to What is Europe Introduction Part I The growth of democracy Essay 1: Scientific revolutions and ideas of democracy Essay 2: The conditions for the development of democracy Part II Essay 3: Democracy and individual freedom Essay 4: The state under the rule of Law Part III Public opinion and the role of criticism Essay 5: The role and the realities of public opinion Essay 6: Democracy as a critique of politics Part IV The institutions of democracy Essay 7: The democratic institutions of European countries Essay 8: Democracy and the construction of Europe

    Biography

    Duprat, Gerard; Parker, Noel; Rieu, Alain-Marc