2019/11/12 by Víctor Manuel Cázares Lira · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #American Constitutional Law and Politics #Political Theory and Influence #Blueprint #Democracy #Pluralism (philosophy) #Politics #Government (linguistics) #New Deal #Political science #Public administration #Sociology #Political economy #Law #Art #Visual arts #Epistemology #Philosophy
paper · doi:10.1017/s1537781419000410
openalex publication_date 2019/11/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract Charles A. Beard's trajectory as a political scientist and expert on municipal government has not yet been fully examined. Based on a close analysis of his teaching at Columbia University and his contributions to city government in New York and Tokyo, this article outlines the development of Beard's vision of American democracy. It argues that, unlike most progressives, Beard refrained from endorsing direct democracy measures as a blueprint for reform, focusing instead on streamlining the American system of government to incorporate, in a transparent fashion, both political parties and interest groups. This article showcases Beard's conception of politics and explains how pluralism and functionalism underpinned his proposals for efficient government.