Publisher's Synopsis
What is democracy? Why does it matter? What's wrong with it? How can it be made to work better? These are the kind of questions this invaluable sourcebook sets out to address and to enable citizens to discuss in an informed and critical way. The contemporary Scottish case is presented in a way which raises crucial and urgent questions for many other societies in today's globalised world. The book provides the educational resources that are required for learning democracy in a systematic and comprehensive way. It is divided into five sections, covering key ideas and values, major institutions, contemporary identities and interests, issues and challenges for democracy, and, finally, the international dimensions of democracy in the world today. This is a unique collection of forty-nine short, specially commissioned papers which have been written exclusively by members or associates of the University of Edinburgh. They are presented in an authoritative yet highly accessible way, and include questions for discussion and suggestions about further reading.;The sourcebook is designed for use, either systematically or selectively, in a wide variety of both formal and informal educational settings. "Renewing Democracy in Scotland" is an indispensable resource for all teachers and learners interested in what education for democratic and inclusive citizenship really means. There is simply nothing else quite like it!
