Participation and Democratic Theory

Introduction

Pateman’s first book appeared in 1970 with Cambridge University Press. It criticises the “contemporary theory of democracy” of Schumpeter, Dahl and others, which treats wide participation as unrealistic or even dangerous. Against it she reconstructs a participatory theory from Rousseau, John Stuart Mill and G. D. H. Cole, in which taking part in decisions educates citizens and strengthens their sense of political efficacy. In the second half she examines evidence from industry, including studies of workers’ participation and the Yugoslav system of self-management. The book became a founding text of participatory democratic theory.

Connections

Builds on

• The Social Contract1762 · Jean-Jacques Rousseau

More works by Carole Pateman

• 1988The Sexual Contract