Play and Democracy

This insightful exploration of democracy and play reveals their intricate relationship. Play and Democracy provides a fresh perspective on political engagement through play.

This book delves into the intricate and multifaceted connections between democracy and play, offering significant new theoretical and empirical insights. It establishes innovative paradigmatic links between philosophical inquiry and various fields, including the arts, political activism, children's play, education, and political science. By weaving together these diverse domains, Play and Democracy encourages readers to reconsider the role of play in democratic societies.

The text addresses four central themes that illuminate the interplay between play and democratic principles. First, it conceptualizes the relationship between these two elements, examining their reflection in issues of normativity, ethics, and political authority. Second, it investigates the different dimensions of play within urban environments, highlighting activism, aesthetic experiences, and the dynamics of political carnivals and performances. Third, the book presents case studies and analyses that illustrate how artistic performances can serve as a form of democratic resistance against prevailing power structures.

Finally, Play and Democracy tackles the paradoxes inherent in play, particularly in fostering democratic sensibilities while simultaneously resisting authority in educational contexts. Through a range of topics such as aesthetic practice, pedagogy, and diverse activism forms, the book illustrates how playfulness can become a vital space for cultivating democratic engagement and transformative change. This work is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersections of play, philosophy, politics, sociology, the arts, sports, or education.