The Democratic Perspective Political and Social Philosophy [Hardcover]

Section 1 One of the big problems facing us is the need to plan for the betterment and improvement of society. In any status quo there are many unsatisfactory moments and experience shows that with changing conditions, even those elements of our communal structure that work well will often get out of step and become a problem. We need then to introduce devices both to alleviate present troubles and, if possible, to anticipate future ones. On the whole, it might appear to the untutored eye that the matter is relatively simple. For instance, if we keep increasing prices of commodities without increasing incomes, and especially if we allow inflation to proceed unfettered as well, the situation will certainly deteriorate. What we need toSection 1 One of the big problems facing us is the need to plan for the betterment and improvement of society. In any status quo there are many unsatisfactory moments and experience shows that with changing conditions, even those elements of our communal structure that work well will often get out of step and become a problem. We need then to introduce devices both to alleviate present troubles and, if possible, to anticipate future ones. On the whole, it might appear to the untutored eye that the matter is relatively simple. For instance, if we keep increasing prices of commodities without increasing incomes, and especially if we allow inflation to proceed unfettered as well, the situation will certainly deteriorate. What we need toOne  The Convergence of Interests.- I The Nature of the Social Bond.- II The General Will Leitmotiff.- Two  Public Good and Public Demand.- III Bias, Descriptive and Other.- IV The Opacity of Results.- V The Opacity of Satisfaction Prognosis  Needs.- VI The Opacity of Satisfaction Prognosis  Perspectives.- VII the opacity of satisfaction prognosis  Demands.- Three  Procedural Proposals.- VIII Constitutionalism.- IX Sequentialism.- X Pluralism.