Schumpeter

(1883 –1950)

1. An Austrian political economist, who taught in Harvard University, USA
2. Wrote ‘Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy’ – critique of classical democracy
3. Negative view of democracy: “democracy is the mechanism for competition between leaders, much like a market structure”
4. “Participatory role for individuals in representative democracy is usually severely limited”
5. Minimalist definition of democracy “as the method by which people elect representatives in competitive elections to carry out their will”
6. Criticized, by Robert Dahl and others, for such negative & elitist view of democracy.