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To understand how democracy functions in practice, examining the occurrence and possible coexistence of different institutional logics is useful rather than relying solely on abstract ideals. This chapter identifies four democratic models—assembly government, competitive democracy, participatory democracy, and market governance—as analytical constructs derived from observed practices in Swedish local government. Each model reflects distinct assumptions about representation, accountability, and citizen influence, and embodies different normative understandings of democratic legitimacy. Rather than forming a coherent whole, these models frequently coexist in tension, placing overlapping and sometimes conflicting demands on actors and institutions. Understanding these intersecting logics is essential for grasping the evolving challenges of local democracy.

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Four Models of Democracy Pulling in Opposite Directions

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Gissur Ó Erlingsson,
  • David Karlsson,
  • Richard Öhrvall,
  • Jessika Wide

摘要

To understand how democracy functions in practice, examining the occurrence and possible coexistence of different institutional logics is useful rather than relying solely on abstract ideals. This chapter identifies four democratic models—assembly government, competitive democracy, participatory democracy, and market governance—as analytical constructs derived from observed practices in Swedish local government. Each model reflects distinct assumptions about representation, accountability, and citizen influence, and embodies different normative understandings of democratic legitimacy. Rather than forming a coherent whole, these models frequently coexist in tension, placing overlapping and sometimes conflicting demands on actors and institutions. Understanding these intersecting logics is essential for grasping the evolving challenges of local democracy.