This paper starts from the idea that we can advance normative political theory, more particularly democratic theory, by paying attention to empirical reality. This is particularly true within the field of International Political Theory, where democratic theory has been confronted with a range of new and challenging questions due to globalization. Within the field of democratic theory two defenses of democracy have traditionally been prominent. Whereas pragmatists and realists have argued for democracy as a means to stability, others have advanced a more substantial argument for democracy building on values such as freedom and equality. On the basis of two case-studies, this paper moves the debate forward. The paper argues that pragmatist and realist arguments overestimate the justificatory power of stability and misjudge the value of democracy. While stability can ground quests for democratic accountability, it cannot ground a quest for full-fledged democracy, including pro-active participation.
