Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition
폴리아키 (다두정)
A foundational democratic theory defining real-world functioning democracies not as idealized rule by all, but as "polyarchies" characterized by high levels of public contestation and broad citizen participation.
| Field | Political Science |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Macro · Structures & Institutions |
| Paradigm | Pluralism Liberalism |
| Key figures | 👤 Robert A. Dahl (로버트 달) |
| Year | 1971 |
Key Claims
Robert Dahl established that modern mass democracy is best understood as Polyarchy (‘rule by many’). It is defined along two empirical axes: public contestation (open political competition) and inclusiveness (universal suffrage), supported by institutional guarantees such as free press and associational autonomy.
Further Reading
- Dahl, R. A. (1971). Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition. Yale University Press.
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