The Boundary Problem in Democratic Theory: A Methodological Approach

Abstract How should political power and influence be allocated in democratic systems? That is, roughly, the core of boundary problem theory. As late, some authors have begun paying increased attention to methodological aspects this dispute. This paper attempts make a twofold contribution ‘methodological turn’. On one hand, it identifies analyzes five desiderata successful principle inclusion. Any such principle, I argue, must grounded clearly identifiable set values, provide clear standard inclusion, specify relevant modalities sound bridging principles, extensionally adequate. In first half paper, these are developed critically scrutinized. other also extract three lessons from previous discussion. First, that unique answer (i.e. single principle) is unlikely. Second, satisfactory need not necessarily appeal, as argued, distinctively values. And third, intuitions about exclusion those requiring or permitting individuals) treated with special caution.