Democratic Accountability

Why Choice in Politics Is Both Possible and Necessary

Leif Lewin

    1. Introduction: The Politics of Blame Avoidance

    • Accountability as a Democratic Value
    • Politics as Rational Action
    • Critical Cases as Counter-Examples

    2. History Is Not Predetermined

    • The End of History
    • The Politics of Containment
    • Accountability and Counterfactual Analysis

    3. Nation-States Need Not Go to War

    • The War of All against All
    • L’Europe des Patries
    • Accountability and Legitimacy

    4. Globalization Has Not Wiped Out the Freedom to Choose

    • The Globalization Trap
    • Agenda 21
    • Accountability and the Market

    5. Power-Sharing Does Not Exclude Responsibility

    • Power-Sharing
    • Mani Pulite
    • Accountability and the Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility

    6. Implementation May Well Be Immaculate

    • The Theory of Budget-Maximization
    • The Politics of Retrenchment
    • Accountability and Bureaucracy

    7. Consequences May Well Be as Intended

    • Unintended Consequences
    • The Gent System
    • Accountability and Expertise

    8. Action Can Be Meaningful Even if Irrational

    • The Logic of Rational Action: The Roots
    • The Logic of Appropriateness: Götterdämmerung
    • Accountability and History

    9. Conclusion: The Necessity of Choice

    • Choice Is Possible
    • Choice Is Mandatory
    • Notes
    • Bibliography
    • Acknowledgments
    • Index
  • Cover: Democratic Accountability

Leif Lewin is Johan Skytte Professor of Eloquence and Government, Uppsala University, Sweden.