Government organization and civilized coexistence : The European faith in the ruled as rulers, and some enduring democratic dilemmas and balancing acts

Abstract

Within three decades, democratic discourse has changed drastically. Attention has shifted from how European democracy, virtue and wisdom could be spread to the world, to alarms that European democracy, values, institutions, identities and ways of life are in danger. Backlashes challenge the democratic-optimistic faith in the ruled as rulers, rational organization and decision-making, found in both official self-portrayals and academic narratives about legitimate democratic government.

The situation invites rethinking, and this book offers an organizational-institutional approach and a dynamic conception of democracy as well as insight into how government organization, decision-making, outcomes, effects, and dynamics are influenced by institutional arrangements. Key issues include: the varying normative, societal and political-organizational foundations of government; whether government organization contributes to democracy and civilized coexistence; and the organizational forms through which democratic institutions and identities are fostered, maintained and changed, and how political-societal integration is achieved by government forming and adapting to society.

The book presents a less heroic view than the democratic-optimistic faith. Democracies face societal divides, inequalities, power differentials, and disputes without objectively correct answers. They cope with ambiguity, uncertainty, limited resources and control, and enduring dilemmas. Making legitimate, binding collective decisions while remaining a democratic community is a challenge. And assuming away normative, cognitive or power-disagreements “hides” key aspects of governing, including that conflicts can be constructive or destructive.

Political orders are differently institutionalized, integrated, and settled, and a distinction is made between governing within a stable order and settings with struggle over what is a tolerable political order and form of government. And in Europe, the political order is again in play. The future of democracy is uncertain, and challenges can be met with efforts to defend current democratic conceptions and practices, or efforts to foster a new democratic order, a new deal and a new narrative, giving direction and hope.