THE DEMOCRATIC POTENTIAL IN THE TRANSITION OF POSTMODERNISM - FROM CRITIQUE TO SOCIAL EVOLUTION

Postmodernism is more than a school of thought or merely a critique of modernism. It is rather a period of transition that marks an evolutio nary trend in the development of human culture and in the development of democratic government. As such, postmodernism warrants more than re form; it calls far the conscious engagement of its potential Further; the dilemmas of postmodernism could became permanently embedded in our culture if they are not recognized as the transitory growing pains of a society seeking a new balance rather than merely confronting a soci al malaise. Indeed, tile basic tenets of postmodern philosophy can be understood from different perspectives-not ail of which lead to the de cline of civilization. Postmodernism, for example, is also an opportun ity for government to participate in the evolution of American democra cy. Such participation, however, calls for a self-conscious public adm inistration, one more concerned with stewarding this change than regul ating it.