Play and Democracy

<p>This book explores the complex and multi-layered relationships between democracy and play presenting important new theoretical and empirical research. It builds new paradigmatic bridges between philosophical enquiry and fields of application across the arts political activism children’s play education and political science.</p><p><i>Play and Democracy </i>addresses four principal themes. Firstly it explores how the relationship between play and democracy can be conceptualized and how it is mirrored in questions of normativity ethics and political power. Secondly it examines different aspects of play in urban spaces such as activism aesthetic experience happenings political carnivals and performances. Thirdly it offers examples and analyses of how playful artistic performances can offer democratic resistance to dominant power. And finally it considers the paradoxes of play in both developing democratic sensibilities and resisting power in education. These themes are explored and interrogated in chapters covering topics such as aesthetic practice pedagogy diverse forms of activism and urban experience where play and playfulness become arenas in which to create the possibility of democratic practice and change.</p><p>Adding extra depth to our understanding of the significance of play as a political cultural and social power this book is fascinating reading for any serious student or researcher with an interest in play philosophy politics sociology arts sport or education.</p>