Democratic Disagreements. A Book Review of Lived Democracy in Education. Young Citizens’ Democratic Lives in Kindergarten, School and Higher Education

Authors

Sonja Helkala, Tampere University, FinlandFollow
Julia Jaakkola, Tampere University, FinlandFollow
Tuukka Tomperi, Tampere University, FinlandFollow

Abstract

As the title Lived Democracy in Education suggests, the predominantly Norwegian writers of the book share a deep and robust vision of democracy. Drawing on deliberative democratic theory and many other theoretical perspectives, the authors blend theory, practice, and empirical case studies to illuminate these modes of “lived democracy” in educational contexts. In particular, the book’s chapters examine different communicative interactions between children and young people, presenting these as examples of learning to live with controversies in communities of disagreement. The book contains valuable perspectives on democratic discussion in education. As several authors are experts in mathematics and science education, and some chapters integrate democratic education into STEM, the book might particularly benefit readers interested in democratic education within STEM subjects.

Recommended Citation

Helkala, S. , Jaakkola, J. , Tomperi, T. (2023). Democratic Disagreements. A Book Review of Lived Democracy in Education. Young Citizens’ Democratic Lives in Kindergarten, School and Higher Education. Democracy and Education, 31 (1), Article 9.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol31/iss1/9