John Dewey between Participatory Democracy and Direct Action

A Commentary on Jeff Jackson

in Democratic Theory
Author:
William R. CasparyWashington University caspary@aol.com

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3167/dt.2017.040106
Keywords:
democracy; direct action; inequality; John Dewey; New Left; participation
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Abstract:

This critical commentary engages Jeff Jackson’s reading of John Dewey’s approach to participatory democracy and direct action—both are fundamental issues in democratic theory today. I probe Dewey’s texts for what I reason to be a more precise reading of his views on social movement action. I go beyond Jackson’s assertion of a role for direct action, to theorize it as an intrinsic element of participatory democracy.

Contributor Notes

William R. Caspary is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Washington University.

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Democratic Theory

An Interdisciplinary Journal

Cover Democratic Theory
Article Category:
Other
Page Count:
12
Keywords:
democracy; direct action; inequality; John Dewey; New Left; participation
Print Publication Date:
01 Jun 2017
Online Publication Date:
01 Jun 2017
Copyright:
© The Cambridge Journal of Anthropology 2017

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