Book talk: Sam Bagg, ‘The Dispersion of Power: A Critical Realist Theory of Democracy’
The event will be followed by a drinks reception in New College.
The Dispersion of Power is an urgent call to rethink centuries of conventional wisdom about what democracy is, why it matters, and how to make it better. Drawing from history, social science, psychology, and critical theory, it explains why elections do not and cannot realize the classic ideal of popular rule, and why prevailing strategies of democratic reform often make things worse. Instead, Bagg argues, we should see democracy as a way of protecting public power from capture-an alternative vision that is at once more realistic and more inspiring.
Date: 13 May 2024, 17:00 (Monday, 4th week, Trinity 2024)
Venue: New College, Holywell Street OX1 3BN
Venue Details: Lecture Room 6
Speakers: Ẹniọlá Ṣóyẹmí, Jasper Friedrich, Samuel Bagg (Nuffield College, University of Oxford)
Organising department: Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR)
Part of: Critical Theory Seminar
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editors: Belinda Clark, Jasper Friedrich