Democracy as a Way of Life

What does it mean to inhabit democracy? Democracy as a Way of Life challenges narrow, procedural definitions by presenting democracy as more than a political system—it is a fragile ecosystem of habits, practices, and shared experiences. Drawing on traditions from Lefort’s radical democratic theory and Deweyan pragmatism to feminist epistemology, Wittgensteinian thought, and Latin American philosophy, the collection offers a multidimensional account of democratic life as lived and continually reshaped.

The chapters investigate democracy as a “form of society,” tracing its ontological roots while examining the affective bonds of trust and recognition that sustain it. They also explore the educational practices that nurture democratic ethos and confront the pressures of contemporary life, from the enclosure of the public sphere to internal pathologies. By weaving together theoretical depth with practical and affective dimensions, the book frames democracy as a way of being defined by openness, contingency, and the ongoing negotiation of meaning.

Featuring fourteen contributors from Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia, the volume brings together senior scholars and emerging voices across political theory, philosophy, sociology, and education. Its global scope and interdisciplinary approach make it essential reading for scholars, students, and practitioners seeking to understand democracy’s challenges and possibilities today.