Hyperdemocracy

This book argues that a well-educated citizenry and freer flow of information has contributed to a state of "hyperdemocracy" which impedes itself. This book applies the idea of 'reflexive modernization' to democratic theory, setting out a new perspective on the challenges democracy faces.

1. Introduction: Hyperdemocracy, the Cognitive Dimension of Democracy, and Democratic Theory 2. The Cognitive Dimension of Democracy from Plato to Mill 3. Constitutive Theory: Competition, Polyarchy and the Cognitive Dimension of Democracy 4. Causal Theory: Progressive and Skeptical Strands of Modernization Theory 5. Cognitive Mobilization and Reflexive Modernization: Deriving the Theory of Hyperdemocracy 6. The Decline of Democracy: Social Capital and Post-Democracy versus Hyperdemocracy 7. The Revival of Democracy: Deliberative Democracy and Postmodern Democracy versus Hyperdemocracy 8. Symptoms of Hyperdemocracy (I): Science and Expertise 9. Symptoms of Hyperdemocracy (II): The Media 10. Conclusion: The Place and the Trajectory of Hyperdemocracy