Deformations of DemocracyDavid Beetham in Contemporary Politics

The first book length response to the work of David Beetham and in particular his original ideas about democracy and human rights

• Combines academic analysis with activist perspectives
• The first analysis of the work of an important scholar of democratic politics, at a time of widely diagnosed democratic decline
• Explores Beetham’s characteristic definition of democracy as popular control and equal voice
• Probes current threats to democracy from populism, fascism and climate crisis
• Includes an unpublished essay by David Beetham himself
• Reviews democratic prospects for the UK and beyond

Academics and activists debate current problems of democratic politics and seek ways to renew the ideals of democracy in a climate of disillusionment and cynicism. Taking their inspiration from the work of David Beetham, an eminent scholar of democracy in theory and practice, they analyse features of democratic crisis today, from the rise of authoritarianism to the decline of trust in parliaments. They also introduce Beetham’s work to a contemporary readership. There are new analyses of his writings on Weber, Marxism, fascism and legitimacy, as well as fresh perspectives on his definition of democracy as popular control and equal voice, a definition he founded on shared human rights. As those rights come under threat from war, climate change and advanced techno-capitalism, as well as from authoritarian politics and direct threats to democratic institutions, this book provides a guide to everyone concerned with democracy and its prospects.