A Democratic Theory of Life: Living Democracy with Black Lives Matter

A Democratic Theory of Life Living Democracy with Black Lives Matter

In response to its current crisis, scholars call for the revitalisation of democracy through democratic innovations. While they make ample use of life metaphors describing democracy as a living organism, no comprehensive understanding of 'life' has been established within democratic theory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theoria (Pietermaritzburg) Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 1 - 33
Main Authors: Asenbaum, Hans, Chenault, Reece, Harris, Christopher, Hassan, Akram, Hierro, Curtis, Houldsworth, Stephen, Mack, Brandon, Martin, Shauntrice, Newsome, Chivona, Reed, Kayla, Rice, Tony, Torres, Shevone, Wilson, Terry J., II
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New York Berghahn Books, Inc 01-09-2023
Subjects:
Analysis
Black Lives Matter movement
Collaboration
Connectedness
COVID-19
Debates
Democracy
Floyd, George
Fry, Christopher
Garza, Alicia
Grounded theory
Illinois
Inclusion
Innovations
Kentucky
Life
Metaphor
Missouri
New York
Pandemics
Political activism
Radicalism
Safeguards
Theory
Transformation
United Kingdom
Urgency
New York
United Kingdom
Illinois
Kentucky
Missouri
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Summary:In response to its current crisis, scholars call for the revitalisation of democracy through democratic innovations. While they make ample use of life metaphors describing democracy as a living organism, no comprehensive understanding of 'life' has been established within democratic theory. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement articulates the urgency of refocusing on life and its meaning through radical democratic practice. This article employs a grounded theory approach, enriched with participatory methods, to develop a radical democratic concept of life in conversation with BLM. It conceptualises life as the existence of a perspective that constantly transforms through its fundamental interconnectedness. Building on this concept, the article outlines four principles of a living democracy that go beyond the revitalisation discourse. A living democracy (1) safeguards the existence of all humans and nonhumans, (2) nurtures a diversity of perspectives, (3) fosters social and planetary connectivity, and (4) enables self- and collective transformation.
ISSN:0040-5817
1558-5816
DOI:10.3167/th.2023.7017601