Daniel Bray & Steven Slaughter 
Global Democratic Theory 
A Critical Introduction

Global Democratic Theory is the first comprehensive introduction to
the changing contours of democracy in today’s hyperconnected
world. Accessibly written for readers new to the topic, it
considers the impact of globalization and global forms of
governance and activism on democratic politics and examines how
democratic theory has responded to address these challenges,
including calls for new forms of democracy to be developed beyond
the nation-state and for greater public participation and
accountability in existing global institutions.



Divided into two parts, the book shows how globalization provides
both new obstacles and new opportunities for democracy. Part
I explores the shifts underway at the national and international
levels that are challenging democracy within nation-states around
the world. In response, new proposals for global and transnational
democracy have emerged. Part II critically analyses five main
approaches of ‘global democratic theory’ D liberal
internationalism, cosmopolitan democracy, deliberative democracy,
social democracy and radical democracy, focusing on their specific
interpretation of the problems facing democracy, their
normative claims, and the feasibility of their proposed pathways of
democratization. The book’s extensive account of the
problems and possibilities facing democracy today will be essential
reading for students and scholars of politics, political theory and
political philosophy.

Table of Content

Introduction Democratic Theory in a Global Era

Chapter 1 Globalisation and the Democratic State

Chapter 2 Global Governance and Transnational Civil Society

Chapter 3 Liberal Internationalism

Chapter 4 Cosmopolitan Democracy

Chapter 5 Deliberative Democracy

Chapter 6 Social Democracy

Chapter 7 Radical Democracy

Conclusion Global Democratic Theory and the Citizen

Bibliography

About the author

Daniel Bray is Lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. His main research and teaching expertise is in international ethics, globalisation, democratic theory, and environmental politics. His current research specifically focuses on cosmopolitan approaches to international relations and pragmatist democratic theory.

Steven Slaughter is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.