Chapters 5 & 6       In Chapter 5, Iris Marion Young distinguishes among state, economy, and civil society. These three things shown to be separate entities, she then delineates the ways in which each corresponds to a distinct "ways of co-ordinating action, the first through the medium of authorized power, the second through the medium of money, and the third through communicative interaction" (Young 158). And, although each of these three are shown to be distinct with different ways of co-ordinating action, I propose that democracy, as defined in this book by Young, would be impossible without the simultaneous existence of all three of these entities.       State, Young says, "refers to activities and institutions of legal regulation, enforcement by coercion, legislatively mandated co-ordination and public services, along with the managerial and technical apparatus necessary to carry out these functions effectively" (Young 158). If democracy includes, among other things, the inclusion of all people equally in decision making processes, there would have to be a means of law enforcement, necessary public services and appropriate apparatus in order to allow members of society run their affairs and government. There could be no inclusion if there was nothing to be included in.       Economy is defined as a capitalist, so that activity is "profit- and market- oriented" (Young 158). Such an economy is imperative for democracy because equal opportunity can be provided in no other way. It is the free market orientation that allows the freedom of business that allows, in theory, democracy for anyone because in that any person has potential for financial and class mobility.       Civil society is defined as springing "from everyday lives and activities of communities of interest" (Young 158) and although they may take part in some activities where they charge a fee for services, they are not organized for the purpose of profit making or increasing profit making. And, as noted above, the action of this sector is communicative interaction. Without this communicative interaction there could be no recognition, understanding, or mutual working towards alleviating common problems. Even minor problems, then, would become threats to democracy by causing conflicts between separated individuals.       These three kinds of activities, as separate and different as they are, all necessary to preserve the ideals and practice of democracy. Back to review of Iris Marion Young's Inclusion and Democracy Back to Current Affairs page Back to Philosophy page Ryan's Writings main page