Democratic Values and the Policy Sciences

Theory: The sciences and are increasingly viewed as inseparable in both theory and practice. Argument: The policy sciences of democracy are disturbingly vague as to precisely what is meant by democracy: is it an indirect, Madisonian democracy, one of representation and factions, or is it a more participatory, deTocquevillean dependent upon general civic participation? Conclusions: The sciences, as originally prescribed by Lasswell to include a strong and active democratic strain, have been altered to emphasize an unrepresentative expertise, thus distancing themselves from their initial articulation. Many of the presently perceived shortcomings of the sciences can be traced to its proponent's ascription to a removed rather than a direct form of democracy. Implications: The sciences must therefore recast their theory and methodology in a more participatory vein in order to recapture their early promise of improved governance through the sciences of democracy.