Challenging Power: Democracy and Accountability in a Fractured World

Description

Arguing that we only have democracy when systems of power are held to account, Kaufman examines the real work being done to challenge the operations of power that underlie four unruly social problems: climate change, sweatshop labour, police abuse, and economic deprivation. In Accountability Democracy, Kaufman pairs each of these issues with an operation of power -- the large scale influence of multinational corporations; the power of governments; the authority of financial markets; and the control inherent in systems of meaning -- and using case studies like the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh and the killing of Eric Garner, forcefully demonstrates the difficulty in challenging this nexus of power. Yet, advancing a positive message, Kaufman maintains that this network is not omnipotent and can be questioned if we develop ‘mechanisms of accountability’ which allow us to conceptualise the nature of these restrictions and the action required to resist them. Kaufman provides then, a model for ethical living that allows us to investigate and appreciate our own connection to the powerful forces that control our world. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Rana Plaza and the Power Hidden in Markets The Greek Economic Crisis and Transnational Systems of Power The Climate Crisis and Power in Governments Police Violence and the Power In Systems of Meaning Chapter 1: States of Irresponsibility: Rana Plaza, Accountability, and Power Accountability Accountability for the Rana Plaza Disaster Chapter 2: The Ethics of Accountability Democracy “There Is No Such Thing as Society” Morality and Social Connection Morality in the Face of Power Responsibility without Shame Guilt Responsibility Chapter 3: Democracy in Crisis Freedom from Domination by Destructive Powers Chapter 4: Politics beyond the Polis, Democracy beyond Elections Politics Accountability Democracy Citizenship Conclusion Chapter 5: The Destructive Powers That Need to be Held to Account Power Agency and Power: The Nature of Social Formations Power in Government Large-Scale Operations of Power Power in Systems of Meaning The Power of the Market Holding to Account the Power of Those Who Challenge Power Conclusion Chapter 6: Accountability Kinds of Sanctions for Effective Accountability Mechanisms Feedback Loops Pro-capitalist Thought and Feedback Loops Reform and Revolution Conclusion Chapter 7: Building Accountability Democracy Preventing Future Building Collapses Preventing Police Violence Accountability for the Climate Crisis Economic Justice for Greece Conclusion Chapter 8: Acting Well in a Traumatized World Conclusion Notes Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Bibliography Index