Democracy and Groups

AjLow can relations among groups be arranged in ways that are compatible with sustaining democracy? In this article I consider three ways that groups can order their relations within a democratic framework national separation, liberal nationalism, and civic liberalism. I assess these choices both with respect to democratic criteria and in terms of the conditions in which they might be more or less appropriate. The first part of the article explains what I mean by the political dimension of groups, and why this is an important aspect of group relations. In assessing different types of group relations, I consider groups as collectivities with an interest in autonomy and in self-determination. As political entities, groups are united by the aim of enhancing their autonomy. Autonomy is both an aim for groups and a means of sustaining or increasing the value of whatever common feature defines them.1