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Description :
It is common for political leaders to claim they have no control over bad outcomes. Indeed, they often cite the arguments of political theorists and public intellectuals as to why: history rushes onward oblivious of human will; force and violence overcome political aims; globalization undermines the actions of national leaders; the bureaucracy sabotages their intentions; bad outcomes are often the unintended result of actions.
In Democratic Accountability, Leif Lewin examines these reasons and argues that they are unconvincing. He makes his case by describing and analyzing counterexamples in seven cases, including the prevention of a communist takeover in Europe after World War II, the European Union’s preventing another European war, and Margaret Thatcher’s taming of the bureaucracy in Britain. In a staunch defense of the possibility for meaningful and profound democratic decision making, Lewin finds that, in fact, not only do political leaders exert a good measure of control and therefore can be assigned responsibility, but the meaning of the functioning democracy is that the people hold their leaders accountable.
Content :
1. Introduction: The Politics of Blame Avoidance
Accountability as a Democratic Value
Politics as Rational Action
Critical Cases as Counter-Examples
2. History Is Not Predetermined
The End of History
The Politics of Containment
Accountability and Counterfactual Analysis
3. Nation-States Need Not Go to War
The War of All against All
L’Europe des Patries
Accountability and Legitimacy
4. Globalization Has Not Wiped Out the Freedom to Choose
The Globalization Trap
Agenda 21
Accountability and the Market
5. Power-Sharing Does Not Exclude Responsibility
Power-Sharing
Mani Pulite
Accountability and the Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility
6. Implementation May Well Be Immaculate
The Theory of Budget-Maximization
The Politics of Retrenchment
Accountability and Bureaucracy
7. Consequences May Well Be as Intended
Unintended Consequences
The Gent System
Accountability and Expertise
8. Action Can Be Meaningful Even if Irrational
The Logic of Rational Action: The Roots
The Logic of Appropriateness: Götterdämmerung
Accountability and History
9. Conclusion: The Necessity of Choice
Choice Is Possible
Choice Is Mandatory
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index
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