Abstract

Democracy premises that every citizen counts, and should count the same. So nothing stresses democracy more than war. Its effects are about as unequal as they come. Through war, some people become rich, famous, or powerful; some are untouched; some lose everything. During war, there is a gap, perhaps a chasm, between the principles and the realities of democracy. Into the breach marches the theorist. Is this gap proof of hypocrisy? Can the gap be explained away? Is the regime worth fighting for? What theorist could resist such questions? 2