The Problem of Democracy in Postwar Europe

Political Actors and the Formation of the Postwar Model of Democracy in France, West Germany and Italy

Nonfiction, History, Western Europe, European General, Modern, 20th Century
Cover of the book The Problem of Democracy in Postwar Europe by Pepijn Corduwener, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Pepijn Corduwener ISBN: 9781134996339
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 25, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Pepijn Corduwener
ISBN: 9781134996339
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 25, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The current perception of democratic crisis in Western Europe gives a renewed urgency to a new perspective on the way democracy was reconstructed after World War II and the principles that underpinned its postwar transformation. This study accounts for the formation of the postwar democratic order in Western Europe by studying how the main political actors in France, West Germany and Italy conceptualized democracy and strove over its meaning. Based upon a wide range of librarian and archival sources from these countries, it tracks changing conceptions of democracy among leading politicians, political parties, and leaders of social movements, and unveils how they were deeply divided over key principles of postwar democracy – such as the political party, the free market economy, representation, and civic participation. By comparing three national debates on the question what democracy meant and how it should be institutionalized and practiced, this study argues that only in the 1970s conceptions of democracy converged and key political actors accepted each other as democrats with similar conceptions of democracy. This study thereby deconstructs the myth of the quick emergence of one consensual Western European model of democracy after 1945, demonstrates that its formation was a long and contentious process in which national differences were often of crucial importance, and contributes to an enhanced understanding of the historical roots of the current sentiment of democratic crisis.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The current perception of democratic crisis in Western Europe gives a renewed urgency to a new perspective on the way democracy was reconstructed after World War II and the principles that underpinned its postwar transformation. This study accounts for the formation of the postwar democratic order in Western Europe by studying how the main political actors in France, West Germany and Italy conceptualized democracy and strove over its meaning. Based upon a wide range of librarian and archival sources from these countries, it tracks changing conceptions of democracy among leading politicians, political parties, and leaders of social movements, and unveils how they were deeply divided over key principles of postwar democracy – such as the political party, the free market economy, representation, and civic participation. By comparing three national debates on the question what democracy meant and how it should be institutionalized and practiced, this study argues that only in the 1970s conceptions of democracy converged and key political actors accepted each other as democrats with similar conceptions of democracy. This study thereby deconstructs the myth of the quick emergence of one consensual Western European model of democracy after 1945, demonstrates that its formation was a long and contentious process in which national differences were often of crucial importance, and contributes to an enhanced understanding of the historical roots of the current sentiment of democratic crisis.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Introduction to the Counseling Profession by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Marxism and Education (RLE Edu L) by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Roots Of Psychotherapy by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book The Adolescent Psyche by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Living with Bariatric Surgery by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Persuasive Advertising for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book The Ambiguity of Teaching to the Test by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Rural Families and Reshaping Human Services by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book The Political Economy of Middle East Peace by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Reading Contemporary Picturebooks by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book New Woman Fiction, 1881-1899, Part II vol 4 by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book In The Beginning by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Essential Personal Finance by Pepijn Corduwener
Cover of the book Practical Reasoning and Ethical Decision by Pepijn Corduwener
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy