Puzzling Democracy

Political Philosophy is a discipline that aims to clarify our most fundamental ethical questions as human beings living in societies under conditions of scarce resources and unequal power. How should we live? What does a good life look like and what kind of social and political arrangements are most conducive to living good lives?

Democracy has been one influential answer to these questions. Democratic political arrangements are thought to be essential to the maximisation of human happiness and flourishing by many around the world. In this book, we examine some enduring puzzles that have to do with the most important pillars of democracy: freedom, rights, equality, justice and legitimate authority.