Who Elected Oxfam?: A Democratic Defense of Self-Appointed Representatives

Author:   Laura Montanaro (University of Essex)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
ISBN:  

9781108419369


Pages:   178
Publication Date:   07 December 2017
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Our Price $232.88 Quantity:  
Add to Cart

Share |

Who Elected Oxfam?: A Democratic Defense of Self-Appointed Representatives


Add your own review!

Overview

Non-elected actors, such as non-governmental organizations and celebrity activists, present themselves as representatives of others to audiences of decision-makers, such as state leaders, the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. These actors are increasingly included in the deliberation and decision-making processes of such institutions. To take one well-known example, the non-governmental organization, Oxfam, presses decision-makers and governments for fair trade rules on behalf of the world's poor. What entitles such 'self-appointed representatives' to speak and act for the poor? As The Economist asked, 'Who elected Oxfam?'. Montanaro claims that such actors can, and should, be conceptualized as representatives, and that they can - though do not always - represent others in a manner that we can recognize as democratic. However, in order to do so, we must stretch our imaginations beyond the standard normative framework of elections.

Full Product Details

Author:   Laura Montanaro (University of Essex)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.70cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.390kg
ISBN:  

9781108419369


ISBN 10:   1108419364
Pages:   178
Publication Date:   07 December 2017
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

1. Democracy and its norms; 2. Self-appointed representation; 3. The dangers of self-appointed representation; 4. Non-electoral authorization and accountability; 5. Applying the theory; 6. Conclusion.

Reviews

Democratic representation isn't what it used to be, and now covers much more than elections. Laura Montanero provides an authoritative and compelling guide to this new landscape of representation. She shows that it doesn't matter that nobody elected Oxfam; but that it matters enormously how Oxfam and other self-appointed representatives behave. Professor John Dryzek, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra.


'Democratic representation isn't what it used to be, and now covers much more than elections. Laura Montanaro provides an authoritative and compelling guide to this new landscape of representation. She shows that it doesn't matter that nobody elected Oxfam; but that it matters enormously how Oxfam and other self-appointed representatives behave.' John Dryzek, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra `Democratic representation isn't what it used to be, and now covers much more than elections. Laura Montanaro provides an authoritative and compelling guide to this new landscape of representation. She shows that it doesn't matter that nobody elected Oxfam; but that it matters enormously how Oxfam and other self-appointed representatives behave.' John Dryzek, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra


Advance praise: 'Democratic representation isn't what it used to be, and now covers much more than elections. Laura Montanero provides an authoritative and compelling guide to this new landscape of representation. She shows that it doesn't matter that nobody elected Oxfam; but that it matters enormously how Oxfam and other self-appointed representatives behave.' John Dryzek, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra


Author Information

Laura Montanaro is Lecturer in Political Theory in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, specializing in the gaps between democratic theory and practice, and between democracy's norms and outcomes.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

Aorrng

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List