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The Psychology of Democracy

Fathali M Moghaddam author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:American Psychological Association

Published:15th Dec '15

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Psychology of Democracy cover

Fathali M. Moghaddam explores how psychological factors influence the presence, potential development, or absence of democracy. Recommendations are given for promoting the psychological processes that foster democracy.

Where democracy thrives, it seems far and away the best system of governance. Yet, relatively few countries have managed to transition successfully to democracy, and none of them have attained what Fathali M. Moghaddam calls “actualized democracy,” the ideal in which all citizens share full, informed, equal participation in decision making. The obstacles to democratization are daunting, yet there is hope. What is it about human nature that seems to work for or against democracy?

The Psychology of Democracy explores political development through the lens of psychological science. He examines the psychological factors influencing whether and how democracy develops within a society, identifies several conditions necessary for democracy (such as freedom of speech, minority rights, and universal suffrage), and explains how psychological factors influence these conditions. He also recommends steps to promote in citizens the psychological characteristics that foster democracy. Written in a style that is both accessible and intellectually engaging, the book skillfully integrates research and an array of illustrative examples from psychology, political science and international relations, history, and literature.

“Exceptionally informed and informative, impressively thoughtful and thought-provoking, The Psychology of Democracy is an outstanding work of accessible scholarship.” —Midwest Book Review

The Psychology of Democracy is a useful text for readers from a variety of disciplines. Lay persons, undergraduate students, and psychologists and political scientists would all find the book a useful and informative study of democracy.” —PsycCRITIQUES

ISBN: 9781433820878

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

257 pages